LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Departmental Staff

Keith Vaz: To ask the Leader of the House how many of the staff employed by his Department have a declared disability.

Peter Hain: This information is collected periodically by the Privy Council Office, which provides Human Resource services to my Office. The provision of personal information on disability is optional and would be held on individual staff files.
	Owing to the nature and size of Office, providing this information could result in the identification of individuals.

Departmental Staff

Keith Vaz: To ask the Leader of the House how many women there are in senior positions among his staff.

Peter Hain: The Privy Council Office provides administrative support to my office. I have one senior civil servant on my immediate staff, who is male.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Abandoned Vehicles (Morecambe Bay)

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Environment Agency has responsibility for the removal of abandoned vehicles on the sands of Morecambe Bay.

Elliot Morley: The Environment Agency have a number of powers to deal with pollution and waste on land and controlled waters but are not under a duty use them, or to remove abandoned cars from the Morecombe bay sands.
	In this case it would be for the interested parties (local authority, Environment Agency, Maritime and Coastguard Agency etc) to come to a partnership agreement on removal and enforcement action.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the provisional estimates for UK carbon dioxide emissions for the first six months of 2004 are.

Elliot Morley: The Government does not make provisional estimates of greenhouse gas emissions for periods of less than one year. Estimates for the whole of 2004 will be available in the March 2005 edition of "Energy Trends', which is published by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Climate Change

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will set out the areas of (a) scientific uncertainty associated with manmade climate change and (b) renewable and energy-efficient technologies, that she intends to present at the G8 as needing further international collective work.

Elliot Morley: In February 2005 we will host a conference to explore the consequences of different levels of climate change, from a science perspective, in terms of impacts for different sectors and regions, as well as the for the world as a whole. It will also consider technological options to meet different stabilisation levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
	The conference will lay the foundation of our current understanding of the science by presenting the current state of play of all scientific issues related to the stabilisation of greenhouse gases. It will provide the scientific evidence of the scale of the threat and demonstrate the urgent need to tackle climate change.
	Work on renewable and energy-efficient technologies will be taken forward through a workshop hosted by the new UK Energy Research Centre. We will be inviting researchers from the G8 countries along with representatives from key developing countries with growing energy needs. The meeting will foster closer international cooperation on a number of areas including energy supply, demand management, and new and renewable energies such as biomass, hydrogen and solar PV.

Community Energy Programme

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Community Energy Programme will be extended beyond April 2005.

Elliot Morley: I am pleased to confirm that we have secured the future of the Community Energy programme for at least the next three years, to March 2008, with additional funding of £10 million available once the original allocation of £50 million is exhausted. This is very good news and underlines this Government's commitment to our Climate Change Programme and our target of eliminating fuel poverty by 2016.

Environment Direct

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when Environment Direct is to be launched; whether it will be inter-active; and whether it will have facilities to demonstrate the need for local environmental change.

Elliot Morley: We announced our intention to develop a new service called Environment Direct in "Delivering the Essentials of Life", Defra's five-year strategy published on 8 December 2004.
	We believe that there is a need for an on-line, searchable service that will give people and communities the straight facts about the effects that different consumption choices can have. We will be consulting on the detail of the service, including how it will work and what information it will hold. If there is broad agreement, we hope to have Environment Direct in operation from 2006.

Farm Incomes

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the total figure for total income from farming for the most recent year is expected; and if she will make a statement on the level of accuracy of the initial forecast figure in relation to the final agreed figure in previous years.

Alun Michael: The forecast of UK Total Income From Farming in 2004 was published on 30 November 2004. The provisional estimate will be published on 27 January 2005.
	The following table provides details of the level of revision between the initial forecast figure and subsequent provisional estimate for the last five years.
	
		Revisions to initial forecasts of total income from farming -- £ billion
		
			  Current prices 
			  Forecast Provisional(1) Revision 
		
		
			 1999 2.25 2.34 0.09 
			 2000 1.71 1.88 0.17 
			 2001 1.80 1.71 -0.09 
			 2002 2.27 2.36 0.09 
			 2003 3.23 3.20 -0.03 
		
	
	(1) Provisional estimates can be further revised in subsequent years as additional data becomes available and as a consequence of any methodological improvements.

Farm Waste

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will break down by cost area the estimated cost of future disposal of on-farm waste.

Elliot Morley: On 9 December 2004, Official Report, column 106WS, I announced that the Government had published for consultation the draft Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2005. One of the main purposes of the draft Regulations is to repeal the current exclusion in section 75(7)(c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and to apply to agricultural waste the national controls that are already in place to comply with the waste framework directive and the landfill directive. The consultation paper is available in the Library of the House and on my Department's website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/agwaste-regs/index.htm. A Regulatory Impact Assessment, estimating the cost of applying the directives' controls to agricultural waste, is provided in paragraph 3.31 of and Annex I to the consultation paper.

Farm Waste

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to introduce further controls on open burning of farm waste.

Elliot Morley: On 9 December 2004, Official Report, column 106WS, I announced that the Government had published for consultation the draft Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2005. One of the main purposes of the draft Regulations is to repeal the current exclusion in section 75(7)(c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and to apply to agricultural waste the national controls that are already in place to comply with the waste framework directive and the landfill directive. The consultation paper is available in the Library of the House and on my Department's website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/agwaste-regs/index.htm. The effect of the draft Regulations will be to preclude the open burning of agricultural waste other than small quantities of "plant tissue" under the terms of a licensing exemption registered with the Environment Agency.

Fuel Poverty

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fuel Poverty Implementation Plan will be published.

Elliot Morley: We published "Fuel Poverty in England": The Government's Plan for Action' on 30 November 2004.
	Copies are available in the Library of the House.

Home Energy Efficiency

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many households have been assisted by the Home Energy Efficiency and Warm Front schemes in the City of Newcastle upon Tyne since 1 April 1997; and what the average size of grant was in each financial year.

Elliot Morley: Since the beginning of Warm Front in June 2000, approximately 2,100 households have been assisted in the constituency of Newcastle upon Tyne, Central.
	Under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme information was not collected at constituency level. However it is estimated that from April 1997 to May 2000 around 5,000 households in Newcastle upon Tyne, Central were assisted by the scheme.
	Information on average grants awarded prior to 2000 is not available. From June 2000, the average Warm Front grant awarded in Newcastle upon Tyne, Central was:
	
		
			  Approximate average grant (£) 
		
		
			 2000–01 330 
			 2001–02 390 
			 2002–03 435 
			 2003–04 580 
			 2004–05 (to date) 940

Animal Welfare

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is the Government's policy to support an eight-hour limit on live animal transport at EU level; if it will advance this point of view when the issue next comes before the Agriculture Council; if the Government will use their presidency of the European Union next year to promote an eight-hour limit if no earlier agreement has been reached; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: We have consistently said that we prefer a trade in meat to the long distance transport of animals, and we would prefer that journey times were reduced. However at present there is no qualified majority among EU member states in favour of this and we see no prospect of the balance of opinion in the Council on journey times changing significantly in the near future.
	At the November 2004 Agriculture Council, EU Ministers reached political agreement on new rules for animal transport. They will improve enforcement of the rules, introduce new training and authorisation procedures for transporters and an obligation on the Commission to review the dossier four years after implementation.
	The role of the presidency is the effective management of business. It does not give the holder the right of initiative, that remains with the European Commission. We will work closely with the Commission to deliver the inherited agenda and any new proposals brought forward while we hold the presidency.

Ministerial Meetings

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with her counterpart in the US Administration; and what the outcome of those discussions was.

Elliot Morley: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's most recent interaction with the US was her visit to New York and Washington from 3–5 May where she met with senior representatives of the Administration to discuss climate change issues.
	Although no longer disputing scientific evidence that human activity is causing global warming, the US Administration has yet to take effective action on climate change at either federal or international level. While the US remains opposed to the Kyoto Protocol, ratification by Russia and the entry into force of the protocol is likely to increase the pressure on the Administration to tackle climate change and to take the issue seriously.
	It was encouraging to see that action was under way at state level. For example, representatives of nine north-east states outlined their emerging cap-and-trade scheme, and praised the UK for taking a leading role.
	The Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is meeting this week in Buenos Aires which will provide a further opportunity for Ministers to speak to representatives from the US.

Ministerial Meetings

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list her official engagements over the last six months; who was present at each meeting; what the (a) date and (b) location was of each meeting; what issues were discussed; and what plans she has to establish a public register of such information.

Margaret Beckett: Ministers meet many individuals and organisations and attend many functions relating to Government business, and as part of the process of policy development. To provide the detailed information requested would incur disproportionate cost. The daily on the record briefing by the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman regularly provides details of Minister's public engagements.

Ministerial Visits

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Ministers from her Department have visited the London borough of Wandsworth in each of the last five years; and what the purpose was of each visit.

Margaret Beckett: Defra was formed in June 2001. Since then there have been no ministerial visits to Wandsworth.

Nuclear Waste Disposal

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what options are being considered for nuclear waste disposal.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 20 December 2004
	The Government have established the independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) to assess the options for the longer term management of higher activity radioactive waste throughout the United Kingdom. The committee is currently preparing a shortlist of potential solutions in consultation with stakeholders. It's report is due to be delivered in July 2006. Further details of CoRWM's work programme can be found at www.corwm.org.uk.

Petrol Storage

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are taken by the Environment Agency or the Petroleum Officer where a risk assessment shows that a storage system at a petrol station poses a significant risk to the environment or human health and no harm reduction has been undertaken by the site operator; and under what circumstances they can take action to close a site.

Elliot Morley: The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 require that employers reduce the risks from dangerous substances as far as is reasonably practicable. If the site is still being used as a filling station, and a Petroleum Officer believes the risk of a leak from the underground tanks is unacceptable, powers are available in Section 21 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to issue an improvement or prohibition notice. If the site is no longer being used as a filling station, the provisions of Section 73 of the Public Health Act 1961, or in Scotland, Section 94 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 allow the Petroleum Licensing Authority (PLA) to instruct the site owner to make the tanks permanently safe. If the site has been abandoned and the owner cannot be traced or contacted then the PLA can use further provisions in the legislation to make the site safe.
	Under Regulation 19 of the Groundwater Regulations the Environment Agency may prohibit, or place conditions upon, storage at the petrol station where it considers there to be an unacceptable risk to groundwater. Under the Water Resources Act 1991 and the Anti-Pollution (Works) Regulations 1999 the Environment Agency may require any environmental damage to be remediated, or action taken to prevent future pollution. In practice it is likely that the Agency would first discuss the matter with the petrol station owner to seek voluntary agreement on a solution.

Plastics

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to introduce a new plastics recovery programme.

Elliot Morley: On 9 December 2004, Official Report, column 106WS, I announced that the Government had published for consultation the draft Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2005. One of the main purposes of the draft Regulations is to repeal the current exclusion in section 75(7)(c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and to apply to agricultural waste the national controls that are already in place to comply with the waste framework directive and the landfill directive. The consultation paper is available in the Library of the House and on my Department's website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/agwaste-regs/index.htm.
	Chapter 8 of the consultation paper discusses the introduction of a voluntary or statutory producer responsibility scheme for the collection and recovery of non-packaging plastic waste from farms. Views are invited by 18 March 2005. Plastic packaging waste from farms and elsewhere is already the subject of the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 (as amended).

Pollution

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contribution motor vehicles have made to carbon dioxide emissions in each decade since 1974; and what her estimates are for the next three decades.

Elliot Morley: The table below shows total CO 2 emissions from road transport for each decade since 1974. The estimates are calculated from annual road transport CO 2 emission totals, as reported under the UN Framework Convention for Climate Change (1990–2002) and the UN Economic Commission for Europe (1974–1989). The data are presented as annual averages over each decade to facilitate comparison with the projections data as follows:
	
		
			  Decade average road transport emissions over each decade (Mt CO 2 )/yr) 
		
		
			 1974–83 73.90 
			 1984–93 100.20 
			 1994–2002(2) 114.94 
		
	
	(2) Averaged over nine years. The UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory covering 2003 emissions has not yet been finalised, but will be published in April 2005.
	The second table shows the most recent projected emissions from road transport to 2020, made by the Department of Trade and Industry. These projections include the estimated impact of climate change policy measures, and are subject to the uncertainty inevitably associated with projected data. Comparable projections are not currently available for the period beyond 2020.
	
		
			  Projected annual road transport emissions (Mt CO 2 )/yr1 
		
		
			 2005 118.80 
			 2010 126.50 
			 2015(4) 133.83 
			 2020(4) 140.06 
		
	
	(3) These figures include emissions from commercial vehicles, and are "measured at source", so do not include the emissions from the refineries associated with the fuel used.
	(4) Projections beyond 2010 are more uncertain than pre-2010.

Radioactive Waste Management

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what reports she has received from the Chair of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management on the likelihood of the Committee meeting its reporting deadline.

Elliot Morley: The Committee on Radioactive Waste Management's programme of work including its final report scheduled for June 2006 was agreed with Ministers in April 2004. The Chair of the Committee, regularly meets with Ministers to discuss progress and presents reports at the end of each phase of its programme. The Committee's Phase 1 report, submitted to Ministers in October 2004, confirmed progress towards this and interim milestones and deliverables set out in its programme. The Chair presented the Committee's first Annual Report to Ministers at the end of November 2004 and offered to appear before any of the UK's Parliaments or Assemblies to explain the Report or the work of the Committee.

Recycling

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many community recycling organisations are registered in the West Midlands.

Elliot Morley: This information is not held centrally because not all community recycling organisations are required to be registered with the Environment Agency.

Renewable Transport

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has made to (a) HM Treasury and (b) the Department of Transport on the renewable transport fuel obligation.

Elliot Morley: The Department has had a number of discussions with the Treasury and the Department for Transport, both at ministerial and official level, about a renewable transport fuel obligation. Defra will continue to be involved with these Departments and others, such as the Department of Trade and Industry, as the Government takes forward the consultative process and feasibility study on an obligation that was announced in the recent pre-Budget Report.

Road Fuel Storage Regulations

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the regulatory system applying to wetstock controls and underground storage tanks for road fuel has been changed since 1996.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 14 December 2004
	The Health and Safety Executive introduced the new the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations in 2002 under which employers are required to reduce the risks from dangerous substances (including petrol) as far as is reasonably practicable. Approved Codes of Practice supporting this new legislation require underground storage tanks to be provided with secondary containment or a leak detection system capable of identifying leaks before a hazardous situation can arise.

Road Fuel Storage Regulations

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how regulators assess the effectiveness of the wetstock controls of road fuel to demonstrate the minimum detectable leak in litres per day; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 14 December 2004
	The Health and Safety Executive, together with the local authority coordinators for regulatory services, has issued guidance to Petroleum Licensing Authorities on wetstock management, titled "Leak Detection in Tanks and Pipework." which sets out an approach to assessing controls and is available on the HSE website. The Environment Agency has also produced guidance on wetstock reconciliation, "Wetstock Management for fuel storage sites—an operators guide", which is used by its staff when inspecting filling stations.

Road Fuel Storage Regulations

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment have been undertaken to evaluate the wetstock controls or the underground storage systems for road fuel at petrol stations.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 14 December 2004
	Although no formal nationwide assessment of wetstock controls has been undertaken, they will be taken into account in a study which Defra has recently commissioned into the risks to groundwater posed by petrol stations. In addition, regular meetings take place of the Petrol Enforcement Liaison Group to consider safety issues within the industry. The group includes representatives of the Health and Safety Executive, the local authority coordinators for regulatory services, the Petroleum Licensing Authorities and petrol station owners and operators, and has recently been extended to include a representative from the Environment Agency.

Road Fuel Storage Regulations

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Environment Agency maintains a national database to quantify the size and number of leaks from petrol filling stations and their impact on the environment.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 14 December 2004
	The Environment Agency maintains a national database which records the number of pollution incidents occurring at petrol stations by region. It further distinguishes incidents relating to the spillage or loss of petrol, and between major, significant and minor incidents. Such data includes leaks and spills from underground tanks and other sources of fuel loss.

Single Farm Payments

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the (a) role and (b) impact of the profit pasturage agreements between landlords and users in respect of Single Farm Payment entitlements.

Alun Michael: Discussions with stakeholders have confirmed the wide range of different types of tenure agreement that operate in the industry. Whereas we are happy to discuss in broad terms where we see each fitting in to the Single Payment Scheme operational requirements, we have not sought to determine in detail the impact of each commercial arrangement.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  whether departmental special advisers have been responsible for authorising instances of departmental spending since May 1997;
	(2)  whether departmental special advisers have given instructions to permanent civil servants without the explicit authorisation of Ministers since May 1997.

Alun Michael: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office on 16 December 2004, Official Report, column 1258W.

Waste

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much liquid hazardous waste was sent to in-house landfill sites in (a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000; and where and how such liquid hazardous waste is now being treated.

Elliot Morley: Data on liquid hazardous waste sent to in-house landfills are not available.
	Since July 2002, the disposal of hazardous liquid waste to any landfill has been banned. Alternative treatments to landfill will be provided at suitably authorised sites. The typical treatments for hazardous liquid wastes will include physico-chemical treatment and biological treatment processes. These use techniques such as precipitation, coagulation and filtration with subsequent dewatering of sludges and disposal of treated non-hazardous liquids to sewer with appropriate discharge consents.

Waste

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Agricultural Waste Regulations will be introduced.

Elliot Morley: On 9 December I announced that the Government had published for consultation the draft Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 ("the Agricultural Waste Regulations"), Official Report, column 106WS. The consultation paper is available in the Library of the House and on my Department's website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/agwaste-regs/index.htm. The timetable is set out in paragraph 1.7 of the consultation paper and envisages the regulations coming into force from June 2005.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Abandoned Vehicles

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what plans he has to review the legislation concerning the time police must wait until abandoned vehicles can be removed from public roads;
	(2)  what plans he has to review the legislation concerning the time period where police must wait until abandoned vehicles can be removed from public roads.

John Spellar: Articles 47 and 48 of the Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (the 1997 Order) makes provision for a constable to remove, or require the removal of an abandoned vehicle from a road. There is no statutory requirement in the 1997 Order requiring a constable to wait for any period before exercising the powers in Article 48, except where it is considered that the vehicle is in such a condition that it ought to be destroyed. In such circumstances, seven days notice is required to be given.
	It should be noted, however, that in addition to the powers to remove abandoned vehicles, Articles 47 and 48 also make provision for a constable to remove a vehicle causing obstruction to persons using the road or likely to cause danger to such persons. In such circumstances a constable may remove the vehicle to another position on that or another road or to a place which is not a road. No notice is required to be given and the constable may remove the vehicle immediately.
	Roads Service currently has no plans to review the existing legislation, nor has it been approached by PSNI to do so.

Care Packages

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients in the Province avail of the direct payments scheme for care packages; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Smith: At 30 September 2004, there were 192 persons availing of the direct payments scheme for care packages. Of these, 168 were in receipt of payments for care managed domiciliary packages, and 24 were in receipt of payments for non-care managed packages.
	Direct payments increase choice and promote independence. The Carers and Direct Payments Act (NI) 2002 recently extended their availability and the Department is working with the Health and Personal Social Services to improve their uptake across Northern Ireland.

Chiropody

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients (a) are awaiting and (b) have received in the last 12 months an initial assessment for chiropody services in each trust in the Province.

Angela Smith: Information on number of patients awaiting initial assessment for chiropody services is not collected centrally. However, information is available on the number of persons who attended their first appointment with a community podiatrist/chiropodist, according to time waited for appointment. This information is shown according to Health and Social Services Trust in the following table, in respect of the year ending 30 September 2004.
	
		
			  Time waited for appointment 
			 Trust Under 3 months 3–6 months 6 months and over Total persons attending 
		
		
			 Belfast City Hospital 1,133 0 0 1,133 
			 Down Lisburn 1,182 201 79 1,462 
			 North and West Belfast 1,460 378 131 1,969 
			 South and East Belfast 893 293 711 1,897 
			 Ulster 2,149 424 226 2,799 
			 Causeway 1,148 219 87 1,454 
			 Homefirst 3,818 571 905 5,294 
			 Armagh and Dungannon 758 161 309 1,228 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge 653 61 42 756 
			 Newry and Mourne 330 179 17 526 
			 Foyle 1,223 615 458 2,296 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 4,016 720 110 4,846 
			 Northern Ireland 18,763 3,822 3,075 25,660

Civil Service Jobs

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Civil Service jobs have been relocated from the Greater Belfast area to each of the 12 constituencies in Northern Ireland, excluding North Down, Foyle and the four Belfast constituencies, in each of the last five years.

Ian Pearson: None.

General Medical Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the exceptional circumstances clause in the new Northern Ireland general medical services contract and the potential for doctors to be obliged to provide out-of-hours cover.

Angela Smith: The legislation relating to the new GMS contract contains a provision requiring any Health and Social Services Board which, despite using its reasonable endeavours, has failed to find an alternative provider to take on the provision of out-of-hours services, to make an application to the Department for approval to refuse the request to opt out of the provision of such services or to delay the effective date of commencement of the opt out. In the interests of securing appropriate provision for patients in such circumstances, the existing out-of-hours provider would be obliged to continue to provide these services. It is anticipated that such applications will be extremely rare and, to date, none has been received in Northern Ireland.

Genito-Urinary Medicine

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce targets for waiting times from referral to assessment in genito-urinary medicine.

Angela Smith: Although there has been some slight increases in waiting times from the previous walk in arrangements, at present there are no plans to introduce targets for waiting times in the genito-urinary medicine service. The Department has conducted a comprehensive review of sexual health services, which included a consultation exercise, and work will be undertaken to examine the way in which the service is delivered with a view to improving access in a local setting.

Hospital Consultants

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) leading hospital consultants are attracted to work and (b) approved training of junior doctors occurs at hospitals in the south-west of the Province.

Angela Smith: Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust is currently bringing forward plans for modernising service delivery through the implementation of "Delivering Better Services". In keeping with this modernisation programme opportunities are being taken to create more attractive jobs for consultants through engagement in Clinical Networks.
	The Trust, in common with other HSS Trusts, is engaged in the modernising medical career programme, which will provide competency based postgraduate training for doctors. It is currently developing a range of potential placements in acute specialties, which will be quality assured by the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency.

Nursing

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will increase flexibility within nursing training to make it easier to convert from one nursing discipline to another.

Angela Smith: The Department monitors the levels of training required to deliver patient care and identified shortfalls are addressed through its pre-registration and post registration-commissioning plans.

Sexual Offences

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when there will be a review of sexual offences; and what areas this review will cover.

John Spellar: I have instructed officials to consider legislative measures to address concerns expressed about the law on sexual offences, particularly in relation to offences against children and vulnerable people. However, it is too early at this stage to know the range of issues likely to be covered in any proposed legislative change. I plan to have draft legislation published for consultation next year and brought forward when the parliamentary timetable permits.

Smoking

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate his Department has made of the number of patients who commence smoking while in psychiatric hospitals.

Angela Smith: The number of patients who commence smoking while in psychiatric hospitals is not measured.

Special Needs Assistants

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what the average starting salary is for those qualified to assist children with speech and learning difficulties in Northern Ireland; and what Board areas have the (a) highest and (b) lowest levels of pay scale;
	(2)  what the average starting salary is for those qualified to assist children with speech and learning difficulties in Northern Ireland; and what board areas have the (a) highest and (b) lowest levels of pay scale.

Angela Smith: The average starting salary for those qualified to assist children with speech and learning difficulties is as follows: Speech and Language Therapists £19,413, Speech and Language Therapists' Assistants £11,195 and Technical Instructors £15,105. The Eastern Board area has the highest starting salary and the Southern Board area has the lowest starting salary for Speech and Language Therapists. Technical Instructors and Speech and Language Therapists' assistants are paid at the same starting salary across the four Board areas.

Sperrin Lakeland Health and Social Services Trust

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his assessment is of the impact on service provision of the budgetary overspend by the Sperrin Lakeland Health and Social Services Trust in the most recent financial year.

Angela Smith: Sperrin Lakeland Trust has assured the Department that it should met its statutory requirement to remain within budget, and that its budget profile for the rest of the 2004–05 financial year will not impact directly on the health care services provided by the Trust within the resources allocated.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcohol-related Crime

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of this summer's campaign on alcohol-related anti-social behaviour on public services, with particular reference to (a) police and (b) ambulances.

Hazel Blears: The summer Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign ran over eight weekends in July and August 2004. The campaign saw concerted activity by police and partners to tackle alcohol-related violence and disorder and target those who encourage underage and binge drinking. It formed part of the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy, which was published on 15 July 2004.
	In the 92 Basic Command Units that took part in the summer campaign, there was a slight increase in the number of lower level harassment and violent incidents recorded due to more proactive policing through enhanced enforcement activities. However, there was a 9 per cent. fall in more serious violent crime in the participating areas when compared with a one per cent. increase in the areas that did not take part. Data to demonstrate the impact on Ambulance Trusts was not captured centrally.
	The effectiveness of the campaign was also measured by feedback from participating Basic Command Units and Crime and Disorder Reduction Partners. This has been captured in a "Lessons Learned" document that has been circulated to all BCUs and CDRPs. These lessons will be employed as part of the forthcoming Christmas campaign that will run from 17 December 2004 to 3 January 2005.

Antisocial Behaviour

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many housing-related antisocial behaviour incidents have been reported in each of the last seven years.

Hazel Blears: In October 2004, the Home Office published an on-line report entitled "Perceptions and experience of antisocial behaviour: findings from the 2003/2004 British Crime Survey" (HO Online Report 49/04). The report shows that houses and flats were the perceived target in nine per cent of the most recent instances of vandalism or graffiti in the last 12 months (the only period for which this information is available). A copy of this report is available on the Home Office website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs04/rdsolr4904.pdf
	The statistics available from the recorded crime series relate to recorded offences of criminal damage to a dwelling and racially aggravated criminal damage to a dwelling. Statistics are only available from 1998–99.
	
		Table 1: Recorded offences of criminal damage to a dwelling in England and Wales—1998–99 to 2001–02
		
			 Period Criminal damage to a dwelling Racially aggravated criminal damage to a dwelling Total 
		
		
			 1998–99 216,590 n/a 216,590 
			 1999–2000 234,575 1,452 236,027 
			 2000–01 238,896 1,765 240,661 
			 2001–02 269,456 2228 271,684 
		
	
	Note:
	1. The data in this table is prior to the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for later years.
	n/a=not available
	
		Table 2: Recorded offences of criminal damage to a dwelling in England and Wales—2002–03 and 2003–04
		
			 Period Criminal damage to a dwelling Racially aggravated criminal damage to a dwelling Total 
		
		
			 2002–03 291,999 2,044 294,043 
			 2003–04 321,613 1,981 323,594 
		
	
	Note:
	1. The data in this table takes account of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Antisocial Behaviour

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to place acceptable behaviour contracts on a statutory basis.

Hazel Blears: There are a number of intervention and enforcement tools available for tackling antisocial behaviour. The action taken should reflect the nature of the antisocial behaviour and the impact it has had on the community. The use of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts and other early interventions are crucial as they show communities, and potential perpetrators of antisocial behaviour, that action will be taken against those who behave in an antisocial manner.
	ABCs were first pioneered by the London borough of Islington with the Metropolitan police. Their successful model was then promoted by the Home Office and adopted across the rest of the country. They are voluntary agreements between a person who has been involved in antisocial behaviour and one or more local agencies. They are not statutory orders and we currently have no plans to place ABCs on a statutory basis.
	However, ABCs play an important role in early intervention to tackle antisocial behaviour and the Home Office, Youth Justice Board and Association of Chief Police Officers did produce guidance on them in November 2002.

Antisocial Behaviour

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been (a) applied for and (b) successfully obtained by local authorities, broken down by local authority area.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 14 December 2004
	From 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000 data for antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) were collected by police force area on aggregate numbers only. From 1 June 2000 copies of the orders were collected from the courts. From these copies we are able to determine the type of applicant. The number of ASBOs applied for during the period from 1 June 2000 to 30 June 2004 (latest available), as notified to the Home Office, where the main complainant was a local government authority, are given in the table by result.
	
		The number of antisocial behaviour orders applied for by local government authorities at the magistrates court and the county court,as notified to the Home Office, by result, 1 June 2000 to 30 June 2004
		
			 Name of applicant Area Number of applications Number issued Number refused 
		
		
			 Bath and N.E. Somerset Council Avon and Somerset 4 4 — 
			 Bristol City Council Avon and Somerset 20 20 — 
			 Somerset County Council Avon and Somerset 2 2 — 
			 South Gloucestershire District Council Avon and Somerset 1 1 — 
			 South Somerset District Council Avon and Somerset 1 1 — 
			 Luton Borough Council Bedfordshire 6 6 — 
			 Huntingdonshire District Council Cambridgeshire 2 2 — 
			 Peterborough Council Cambridgeshire 14 14 — 
			 Chester City Council Cheshire 1 1 — 
			 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council Cheshire 2 2 — 
			 Halton Borough Council Cheshire 1 1 — 
			 Middlesbrough Borough Council Cleveland 16 16 — 
			 Redcar and Cleveland Council Cleveland 1 — 1 
			 Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Cleveland 2 2 — 
			 Allerdale Borough Council Cumbria 3 3 — 
			 Carlisle City Council Cumbria 1 1 — 
			 Caradon District Council Devon and Cornwall 2 2 — 
			 North Devon District Council Devon and Cornwall 1 1 — 
			 Plymouth City Council Devon and Cornwall 9 9 — 
			 Bournemouth Borough Council Dorset 1 1 — 
			 Christchurch Borough Council Dorset 1 1 — 
			 Poole Borough Council Dorset 7 7 — 
			 Purbeck District Council Dorset 5 5 — 
			 Derwentside District Council Durham 8 8 — 
			 Sedgefield Borough Council Durham 3 3 — 
			 Wear Valley District Council Durham 1 1 — 
			 Carmarthenshire County Council Dyfed Powys 1 1 — 
			 Harlow District Council Essex 1 1 — 
			 Thurrock District Council Essex 1 1 — 
			 Cheltenham Borough Council Gloucestershire 7 7 — 
			 Forest of Dean District Council Gloucestershire 1 1 — 
			 Stroud District Council Gloucestershire 2 2 — 
			 London Borough of Barnet Greater London 3 3 — 
			 London Borough of Bexley Greater London 11 11 — 
			 London Borough of Brent Greater London 9 8 1 
			 London Borough of Bromley Greater London 6 6 — 
			 London Borough of Camden Greater London 37 37 — 
			 London Borough of Croydon Greater London 7 7 — 
			 London Borough of Enfield Greater London 2 2 — 
			 London Borough of Greenwich Greater London 6 6 — 
			 London Borough of Hackney Greater London 2 2 — 
			 London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Greater London 3 3 — 
			 London Borough of Islington Greater London 1 1 — 
			 London Borough of Lambeth Greater London 1 1 — 
			 London Borough of Lewisham Greater London 4 4 — 
			 London Borough of Merton Greater London 1 1 — 
			 London Borough of Newham Greater London 1 1 — 
			 London Borough of Southwark Greater London 4 4 — 
			 London Borough of Sutton Greater London 3 3 — 
			 London Borough of Tower Hamlets Greater London 3 3 — 
			 London Borough of Wandsworth Greater London 1 1 — 
			 London Borough of Westminster Greater London 4 3 1 
			 Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Greater London 1 1 — 
			 Bolton Met Borough Council Greater Manchester 9 9 — 
			 Bury Metropolitan Borough Council Greater Manchester 1 1 — 
			 Manchester City Council Greater Manchester 172 168 4 
			 Oldham Met. Borough Council Greater Manchester 10 10 — 
			 Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council Greater Manchester 19 19 — 
			 Salford Metropolitan Borough Council Greater Manchester 30 30 — 
			 Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council Greater Manchester 7 7 — 
			 Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council Greater Manchester 3 3 — 
			 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council Greater Manchester 13 13 — 
			 Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council Greater Manchester 17 17 — 
			 Caerphilly County Borough Council Gwent 2 2 — 
			 Cwmbran and E. Gwent Council Gwent 1 1 — 
			 Newport County Borough Council Gwent 6 6 — 
			 Torfaen County Borough Council Gwent 4 4 — 
			 Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Hampshire 1 1 — 
			 Havant Borough Council Hampshire 3 3 — 
			 Isle of Wight Council Hampshire 2 2 — 
			 New Forest District Council Hampshire 1 1 — 
			 Portsmouth City Council Hampshire 21 19 2 
			 Rushmoor Borough Council Hampshire 1 1 — 
			 Southampton Council Hampshire 15 15 — 
			 Broxbourne Borough Council Hertfordshire 6 6 — 
			 Dacorum Borough Council Hertfordshire 2 2 — 
			 East Hertfordshire District Council Hertfordshire 1 1 — 
			 North Hertfordshire District Council Hertfordshire 4 4 — 
			 St. Albans District Council Hertfordshire 1 1 — 
			 Stevenage Borough Council Hertfordshire 4 4 — 
			 Three Rivers District Council Hertfordshire 4 4 — 
			 Watford Borough Council Hertfordshire 1 1 — 
			 Welwyn Hatfield District Council Hertfordshire 1 1 — 
			 Kingston-upon-Hull City Council Humberside 10 10 — 
			 North East Lincolnshire Council Humberside 1 1 — 
			 Ashford Borough Council Kent 1 1 — 
			 Canterbury City Council Kent 6 6 — 
			 Gravesham Borough Council Kent 1 1 — 
			 Kent County Council Kent 1 1 — 
			 Medway Council Kent 8 8 — 
			 Sevenoaks District Council Kent 1 1 — 
			 Shepway District Council Kent 1 1 — 
			 Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Kent 2 2 — 
			 Burnley Borough Council Lancashire 3 3 — 
			 Fylde Borough Council Lancashire 1 1 — 
			 Hyndburn Borough Council Lancashire 3 3 — 
			 Ribble Valley Borough Council Lancashire 1 1 — 
			 Rossendale Borough Council Lancashire 7 7 — 
			 West Lancashire District Council Lancashire 6 6 — 
			 Leicester City Council Leicestershire 5 5 — 
			 Oadby and Wigston District Council Leicestershire 1 1 — 
			 North Lincolnshire Council Lincolnshire 2 2 — 
			 South Kesteven District Council Lincolnshire 1 1 — 
			 Knowsley Met. Borough Council Merseyside 3 3 — 
			 Liverpool City Council Merseyside 46 45 1 
			 Sefton Met. Borough Council Merseyside 10 10 — 
			 St. Helens Metropolitan Borough Council Merseyside 2 2 — 
			 Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council Merseyside 6 6 — 
			 Great Yarmouth Borough Council Norfolk 11 11 — 
			 King's Lynn and W. Norfolk Borough Council Norfolk 7 7 — 
			 Norwich City Council Norfolk 11 10 1 
			 Gwynedd Council North Wales 1 1 — 
			 Wrexham County Borough Council North Wales 1 1 — 
			 City of York Council North Yorkshire 9 9 — 
			 Harrogate Borough Council North Yorkshire 1 1 — 
			 Selby District Council North Yorkshire 1 1 — 
			 Corby Borough Council Northamptonshire 1 1 — 
			 Daventry District Council Northamptonshire 1 1 — 
			 South Northamptonshire Council Northamptonshire 1 1 — 
			 Wellingborough Borough Council Northamptonshire 6 6 — 
			 Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council Northumbria 6 6 — 
			 Newcastle-upon-Tyne, City of Northumbria 4 4 — 
			 Sunderland City Council Northumbria 2 2 — 
			 Broxtowe Borough Council Nottinghamshire 4 4 — 
			 Mansfield District Council Nottinghamshire 3 3 — 
			 Nottingham City Council Nottinghamshire 13 13 — 
			 Cardiff County Council South Wales 1 1 — 
			 Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council South Wales 4 4 — 
			 Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council South Wales 9 9 — 
			 Rhondda Cynon Taff Council South Wales 1 1 — 
			 Barnsley Met. Borough Council South Yorkshire 8 8 — 
			 Doncaster Met. Borough Council South Yorkshire 18 18 — 
			 Rotherham Met. Borough Council South Yorkshire 2 2 — 
			 Sheffield City Council South Yorkshire 20 20 — 
			 Cannock Chase District Council Staffordshire 2 2 — 
			 Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council Staffordshire 6 6 — 
			 Stafford Borough Council Staffordshire 1 1 — 
			 Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Staffordshire 8 8 — 
			 Stoke-on-Trent City Council Staffordshire 6 6 — 
			 Tamworth Borough Council Staffordshire 2 2 — 
			 Babergh District Council Suffolk 2 2 — 
			 Forest Heath District Council Suffolk 1 1 — 
			 Ipswich Borough Council Suffolk 9 9 — 
			 Waveney District Council Suffolk 6 6 — 
			 Mole Valley District Council Surrey 1 1 — 
			 Brighton and Hove City Council Sussex 25 25 — 
			 Hastings Borough Council Sussex 7 7 — 
			 Cherwell District Council Thames Valley 2 1 1 
			 Milton Keynes Borough Council Thames Valley 7 7 — 
			 Oxford City Council Thames Valley 2 2 — 
			 Reading Borough Council Thames Valley 2 2 — 
			 Slough Borough Council Thames Valley 5 5 — 
			 South Buckinghamshire District Council Thames Valley 1 1 — 
			 North Warwickshire Borough Council Warwickshire 1 1 — 
			 Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council Warwickshire 5 5 — 
			 Warwickshire County Council Warwickshire 1 1 — 
			 Bridgnorth District Council West Mercia 3 3 — 
			 Herefordshire Council West Mercia 1 1 — 
			 Oswestry Borough Council West Mercia 2 2 — 
			 Telford and Wrekin Council West Mercia 2 2 — 
			 Birmingham City Council West Midlands 14 14 — 
			 Coventry City Council West Midlands 22 21 1 
			 Dudley Met. Borough Council West Midlands 10 10 — 
			 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council West Midlands 11 11 — 
			 Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council West Midlands 4 4 — 
			 Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council West Midlands 27 27 — 
			 Wolverhampton City Council West Midlands 12 12 — 
			 Bradford City Council West Yorkshire 18 18 — 
			 Calderdale Met. Borough Council West Yorkshire 11 11 — 
			 Kirklees Metropolitan Council West Yorkshire 21 21 — 
			 Leeds City Council West Yorkshire 143 143 — 
			 Wakefield Met. District Council West Yorkshire 2 2 — 
			 Swindon Borough Council Wiltshire 7 7 — 
			 Total  1,287 1,274 13

Antisocial Behaviour

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued in Crosby; and how many of those have been violated.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office have been notified of eight antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued, between 1 June 2000 and 30 June 2004 (latest available), where prohibitions have been imposed in the Sefton metropolitan borough council area, in which Crosby is situated.
	Data on breaches of ASBOs are collated centrally at Criminal Justice System area level only.

Antisocial Behaviour

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the rates of antisocial behaviour, broken down by type, have been in Crosby over the past five years; and what the national levels of each type of incidents was.

Hazel Blears: Data on rates of antisocial behaviour, broken down by type, for Crosby over the past five years is not centrally available.
	The Home Office uses the British Crime Survey (BCS) to measure public perceptions of antisocial behaviour nationally. The Home Office antisocial behaviour target to reduce antisocial behaviour is based on a BCS measure of public perceptions of seven types of antisocial behaviour. However, BCS data cannot be broken down to areas smaller than police force areas, and the figures for perceptions of antisocial behaviour are not routinely published at below regional level.
	Results from the British Crime Survey are available in Home Office Online Report 49/04 (2004) "Perceptions and experience of antisocial behaviour: findings from the British Crime Survey", by Martin Wood. This report is available on http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds

Antisocial Behaviour

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has been taken in Sefton to combat antisocial behaviour.

Hazel Blears: The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 is the single biggest package of measures tackling antisocial behaviour. They were introduced after widespread consultation with communities and practitioners. These powers are part of the Government's Together campaign to help local people and agencies to tackle the menace of yob behaviour. The Act and Together apply across all England and Wales including the hon. Members Constituency.
	The Sefton Antisocial Behaviour Unit was set up on 4 October 2004 and comprises of a manager, solicitor, four antisocial behaviour officers and they are also recruiting an additional member of staff. Sefton is fully on board and delivering a varied menu of options in the fight against antisocial behaviour. Listed are activities that have or are taking place to tackle the problem of ASB.
	Dispersal Orders
	Currently there is a dispersal order on the trains, railway line and stations in the area. There are proposals to introduce a second dispersal order in the Crosby and Waterloo area. Prior to this second order the police have been running an operation for the last six months to disperse the gangs of youths that gather and congregate in the area.
	Closure Orders
	Following a major police operation, involving drug dealing in the south of the borough, a closure order was obtained following which the persons involved relinquished their tenancy to the premises. The police and council have been working together to bring the house back up to a decent homes standard ready for reoccupation. The police have agreed to allow the council to go to the court and seek a discharge of the order for the premises (Monday 20 December 2004) ready for the premises to be re-let on Tuesday 4 January 2005. The police are now considering other closure orders and will be working closely with the council.
	Alcohol Enforcement
	Throughout the year Trading Standards Officers have conducted a number of test purchases from off licences in the area, resulting in a number of formal cautions being issued to the licensees. There are more planned in the run up to Christmas as part of the Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign (AMEC). Local police officers are seizing alcohol from youths throughout the area
	Fireworks
	Sefton has taken part in Operation Good (Buy and Banger along with the "Responsible Retailer Scheme," a multi-agency campaign involving the community, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Merseyside police and Sefton council. The aims and objectives are to
	Reduce illegal activity in relation to fireworks, in particular the illegal sale of fireworks
	Reduce nuisance and antisocial behaviour
	Improve intelligence
	Provide reassurance to our communities
	Enable all partner agencies to improve satisfaction and confidence in the services they provide
	Fixed Penalties
	The Police are making full use of fixed penalties for a variety of offences that are antisocial behaviour related. Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) One of the RSLs is currently recruiting a dedicated ASB officer, it is envisaged this person will work alongside Sefton ASB Unit.
	Crown Prosecution Service
	There are strong working relationships between Sefton antisocial behaviour unit, Merseyside police and the Crown Prosecution Service via their dedicated ASB Prosecutor Iain Criddle.
	Merseyside Fire and Rescue
	Have recruited five Arson Reduction Officers one for each CDRP Seftons Officer is working within Sefton ASB Unit.
	Anti-Social Behaviour Orders
	Currently, Sefton has 23 antisocial behaviour orders.
	Other Interventions
	Full use is being made of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) and Tenancy Warning Contracts (TWC). There are a variety of responses in that if the person subject of a contract conforms no further action is taken. If they have a minor breach they are warned if it is more serious then the fact that a person has been given a warning will be cited in future court proceedings.
	Support Packages
	Currently, there is support available from the Youth Offending Team, Connexions and projects such as Restorative Justice, Parenting 2000 and Early Years. Work is currently underway under the Youth Offending Team to formalise what is available as part of the councils (Children Schools and Families) Preventative Strategy.
	Night-time Economy
	Additional police resources are brought into different areas to target alcohol related crime at different times when pubs and clubs close.
	Joint Working
	The Police are working closely with Sefton Security Wardens and CCTV, Sefton council, Concierge Service and Community Support Officers. The Community Safety Department have been leading on various projects including environmental improvement, i.e. clearing high growing shrubs and low branches of trees to give clear peripheral vision to people using the park. Designing out crime and secure by design again being driven by Community Safety in the Housing Market Renewal Areas. The mapping of "crime and grime" one such example is the disposal of drug paraphernalia in public spaces were the local services provide data on the location of needle finds. This information is then forwarded to drug referral agencies so they can target the area and were possible bring users into service.
	Operation Tower
	Targets the drug users who have been identified via the Prolific and Other Priority Offenders scheme that is operating in the area. This lawfully coerces some of the most prolific offenders into drug treatment, with the threat of being targeted by a variety of agencies if the individual fails to comply with the scheme.
	Gold Zone
	Officers This is due to commence in January 2005, involving additional police officer that have been financed through Housing Market Renewal Funds to provide services over and above the normal services by Merseyside police in the HMF areas.

Antisocial Behaviour

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which local authorities (a) sought and (b) pursued to a successful conclusion in court the (i) greatest and (ii) lowest number of antisocial behaviour orders in 2003–04.

Hazel Blears: The number of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) applied for during the period from 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004, as notified to the Home Office, where the main complainant was a local government authority, are given in the table by result.
	
		Number of antisocial behaviour orders applied for by local government authorities at the magistrates court and the county court,as notified to the Home Office, by result, 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004
		
			 Name of applicant Area Number of applications Number issued Number refused 
		
		
			 Leeds city council West Yorkshire 92 92 — 
			 Manchester city council Greater Manchester 90 86 4 
			 Liverpool city council Merseyside 20 19 1 
			 Salford metropolitan borough council Greater Manchester 18 18 — 
			 London borough of Camden Greater London 17 17 — 
			 Doncaster metropolitan borough council South Yorkshire 12 12 — 
			 Middlesbrough borough council Cleveland 12 12 — 
			 Wigan metropolitan borough council Greater Manchester 11 11 — 
			 Brighton and Hove city council Sussex 10 10 — 
			 London borough of Brent Greater London 9 8 1 
			 Peterborough council Cambridgeshire 9 9 — 
			 Portsmouth city council Hampshire 9 8 1 
			 Oldham metropolitan borough council Greater Manchester 8 8 — 
			 Wolverhampton city council West Midlands 8 8 — 
			 Kirklees metropolitan council West Yorkshire 7 7 — 
			 Sefton metropolitan borough council Merseyside 7 7 — 
			 Bradford city council West Yorkshire 6 6 — 
			 Sheffield city council South Yorkshire 6 6 — 
			 Bristol city council Avon and Somerset 5 5 — 
			 London borough of Bromley Greater London 5 5 — 
			 Purbeck district council Dorset 5 5 — 
			 Southampton council Hampshire 5 5 — 
			 Barnsley metropolitan borough council South Yorkshire 4 4 — 
			 Broxtowe borough council Nottinghamshire 4 4 — 
			 Derwentside district council Durham 4 4 — 
			 London borough of Croydon Greater London 4 4 — 
			 London borough of Southwark Greater London 4 4 — 
			 Merthyr Tydfil county borough council South Wales 4 4 — 
			 Rochdale metropolitan borough council Greater Manchester 4 4 — 
			 Trafford metropolitan borough council Greater Manchester 4 4 — 
			 West Lancashire district council Lancashire 4 4 — 
			 London borough of Westminster Greater London 4 3 1 
			 Newport county borough council Gwent 4 4 — 
			 Birmingham city council West Midlands 3 3 — 
			 Bolton metropolitan borough council Greater Manchester 3 3 — 
			 King's Lynn and W. Norfolk borough council Norfolk 3 3 — 
			 Knowsley metropolitan borough council Merseyside 3 3 — 
			 London borough of Greenwich Greater London 3 3 — 
			 Luton borough council Bedfordshire 3 3 — 
			 Allerdale borough council Cumbria 2 2 — 
			 Babergh district council Suffolk 2 2 — 
			 Havant borough council Hampshire 2 2 — 
			 London borough of Bexley Greater London 2 2 — 
			 London borough of Enfield Greater London 2 2 — 
			 London borough of Lewisham Greater London 2 2 — 
			 Milton Keynes borough council Thames Valley 2 2 — 
			 Nottingham city council Nottinghamshire 2 2 — 
			 Plymouth city council Devon and Cornwall 2 2 — 
			 Poole borough council Dorset 2 2 — 
			 Reading borough council Thames Valley 2 2 — 
			 Slough borough council Thames Valley 2 2 — 
			 Stockport metropolitan borough council Greater Manchester 2 2 — 
			 Stroud district council Gloucestershire 2 2 — 
			 Swindon borough council Wiltshire 2 2 — 
			 Tamworth borough council Staffordshire 2 2 — 
			 City of York council North Yorkshire 2 2 — 
			 Broxbourne borough council Hertfordshire 1 1 — 
			 Caerphilly county borough council Gwent 1 1 — 
			 Calderdale metropolitan. borough council West Yorkshire 1 1 — 
			 Cheltenham borough council Gloucestershire 1 1 — 
			 Chester city council Cheshire 1 1 — 
			 Christchurch borough council Dorset 1 1 — 
			 Dudley metropolitan borough council West Midlands 1 1 — 
			 Gwynedd council North Wales 1 1 — 
			 London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Greater London 1 1 — 
			 Hull city council Humberside 1 1 — 
			 Ipswich borough council Suffolk 1 1 — 
			 Isle of Wight council Hampshire 1 1 — 
			 Royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea Greater London 1 1 — 
			 Leicester city council Leicestershire 1 1 — 
			 London borough of Barnet Greater London 1 1 — 
			 London borough of Islington Greater London 1 1 — 
			 London borough of Tower Hamlets Greater London 1 1 — 
			 Mansfield district council Nottinghamshire 1 1 — 
			 North East Lincolnshire council Humberside 1 1 — 
			 New Forest district council Hampshire 1 1 — 
			 Newcastle-under-Lyme borough council Staffordshire 1 1 — 
			 Redcar and Cleveland council Cleveland 1  1 
			 Rhondda Cynon Taff council South Wales 1 1 — 
			 Rotherham metropolitan borough council South Yorkshire 1 1 — 
			 Rushmoor borough council Hampshire 1 1 — 
			 South Northamptonshire council Northamptonshire 1 1 — 
			 Staffordshire Moorlands district council Staffordshire 1 1 — 
			 Stockton-on-Tees borough council Cleveland 1 1 — 
			 Tameside metropolitan borough council Greater Manchester 1 1 — 
			 Torfaen county borough council Gwent 1 1 — 
			 Wakefield metropolitan district council West Yorkshire 1 1 — 
			 Warwickshire county council Warwickshire 1 1 — 
			 Wrexham county borough council North Wales 1 1 — 
			 Total  500 491 9

Antisocial Behaviour

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been (a) applied for and (b) granted by the courts in Lancashire, broken down by local authority area, in each year since their introduction.

Hazel Blears: The available information is given in the table.
	
		Number of ASBO applications, by result, and the number given on conviction, as notified to the Home Office, at all courts, where restrictions applied to specific local authority areas in Lancashire, 1 April 1999(5) to 30 June2004
		
			  ASBOs on application(6) ASBOs on conviction 
			 Period/Local authority area Total applications Total refused Total issued Total issued Total issued on application/on conviction 
		
		
			 1 June 2000—31 December 2000
			 Burnley BC 2 — 2 n/a 2 
			 Hyndburn BC 1 — 1 n/a 1 
			 Lancaster CC 1 — 1 n/a 1 
			 South Ribble BC 1 — 1 n/a 1 
			 Sub-total 5 — 5 n/a 5 
			 1 January 2001—31 December 2001
			 Chorley BC 2 — 2 n/a 2 
			 Fylde BC 2 — 2 n/a 2 
			 Hyndburn BC 2 — 2 n/a 2 
			 Lancaster CC 1 — 1 n/a 1 
			 Ribble Valley BC 1 — 1 n/a 1 
			 Sub-total 8 — 8 n/a 8 
			 1 January 2002—31 December 2002
			 Blackburn with Darwen BC 1 — 1 — 1 
			 Hyndbum BC 1 — 1 — 1 
			 Preston BC 1 — 1 — 1 
			 Rossendale BC 8 — 8 — 8 
			 West Lancashire DC 2 — 2 — 2 
			 Sub-total 13 — 13 — 13 
			 1 January 2003—31 December 2003
			 Blackburn with Darwen BC 1 — 1 1 2 
			 Blackpool BC 8  8 2 10 
			 Burnley BC 3 — 12 15 15 
			 Chorley BC — — — 3 3 
			 Fylde BC 1 — 1 — 1 
			 Hyndburn BC — — — 1 1 
			 Pendle BC 3 — 3 — 3 
			 Preston BC — — — 2 2 
			 Rossendale BC — — — 1 1 
			 South Ribble BC — — — 1 1 
			 West Lancashire DC 2 — 2 — 2 
			 Wyre BC — — — 1 1 
			 Sub-total 18 — 18 24 42 
			 1 January 2004—30 June 2004 
			 Blackburn with Darwen BC 2 — 2 3 5 
			 Blackpool BC 3 — 3 — 3 
			 Burnley BC 7 2 5 4 9 
			 Hyndburn BC 3 — 3 2 5 
			 Lancaster CC — — 1 1 1 
			 Pendle BC 1 — 1 1 2 
			 Preston BC 1 — 1 6 7 
			 Ribble Valley BC — — — 2 2 
			 Rossendale BC 1 — 1 — 1 
			 South Ribble BC — — — 2 2 
			 West Lancashire DC 2 — 2 — 2 
			 Wyre BC 2 — 2 — 2 
			 Sub-total 22 2 20 21 41 
			 Total 66 2 64 45 109 
		
	
	n/a = not applicable
	(5) From 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000 data were collected by police force area on aggregate numbers only. During this
	period 5 ASBOs were notified as issued within Lancashire.
	(6) Only covers applications dealt with by 30 June 2004.

Antisocial Behaviour

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 8 December 2004, Official Report, column 633W, on antisocial behaviour orders, what punishment will be administered to those who have breached an antisocial behaviour order (ASBO); and if he will break down the number of ASBOs (a) issued and (b) breached by local authority area.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 20 December 2004
	Persons who have been convicted for breaching their antisocial behaviour order (ASBOs) may receive a conditional discharge through to a maximum custodial sentence of five years.
	The number of ASBOs issued, as reported to the Home Office, where restrictions have been imposed in specific local authority areas, are given in the table which will be placed in the Library. Data on breaches of ASBOs are collated centrally at Criminal Justice System area level only.

Antisocial Behaviour

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued in each month since their introduction.

Hazel Blears: The readily available information is by quarter and is given in the table.
	
		Number of antisocial behaviour orders issued, as reported to the Home Office, from 1 April 1999 to 30 June 2004 (latest available), by period, England and Wales
		
			 Period Number issued 
		
		
			 1 April 99 to 31 May 2000(7) 104 
			 1 June 13 
			 1 July to 30 September 51 
			 1 October to 31 December 71 
			 Total June to December 2000 135 
			   
			 1 January to 31 March 78 
			 1 April to 30 June 93 
			 1 July to 30 September 68 
			 1 October to 31 December 83 
			 Total for 2001 322 
			 1 January to 31 March 77 
			 1 April to 30 June 92 
			 1 July to 30 September 94 
			 1 October to 31 December 140 
			 Total for 2002 403 
			   
			 1 January to 31 March 169 
			 1 April to 30 June 223 
			 1 July to 30 September 282 
			 1 October to 31 December 358 
			 Total for 2003 1,032 
			   
			 1 January to 31 March 480 
			 1 April to 30 June 593 
			 Total up to June 2004 1,073 
			 Total issued 3,069 
		
	
	(7) During this period only aggregate numbers for the whole period were collected by police force area.

Budd Inquiry

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the (a) name and (b) job title of Home Office officials assisting Sir Alan Budd with his current inquiry.

Charles Clarke: As he makes clear in his report Sir Alan Budd has been supported by Geraldine Meneaud-Lissenburg, a Home Office official currently on loan to the Gaming Board of Great Britain and by John Thompson, an Immigration and Nationality Directorate official.

Budd Inquiry

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons a Home Office official accompanied Sir Alan Budd to interview Mrs. Kimberly Quinn on 9 December.

Charles Clarke: Sir Alan was accompanied by the Secretary to the inquiry.

Budd Inquiry

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Sir Alan Budd is enquiring into the circumstances surrounding other visa applications in addition to the alleged fast-tracking of the application for a UK visa for Leoncia Casalme.

Charles Clarke: The terms of reference for the inquiry were "to inquire into the handling by the Home Office of the application for indefinite leave to remain, made by Leoncia Casalme in April 2003, and to report." He investigated all actions and events relevant to those terms of reference.

Child Destruction

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 8 December 2004, Official Report, column 638W, on crimes against young people, what the definition is of the offence of child destruction.

Hazel Blears: Child destruction is an offence under Section 1 of the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929. The relevant extract is as follows:
	" . . . Any person who, with intent to destroy the life of a child capable of being born alive, by any wilful act causes a child to die before it has an existence independent of its mother, shall be guilty of child destruction and shall be liable on conviction thereof on indictment to imprisonment for life: Provided that no person shall be found guilty of an offence under this section unless it is proved that the act which caused the death of a child was not done in good faith for the purpose only of preserving the life of the mother".

Community Support Officers

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 14 December 2004, Official Report, columns 1021–22W, on community support officers, how many of the community support officers in place at the end of September are posted (a) in Merseyside and (b) the Wirral.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 20 December 2004
	At the end of September 2004 there were 82 community support officers (CSOs) on patrol in Merseyside. Of these, 28 CSOs were deployed in the Wirral Basic Command Unit, which covers that part of the Wirral which falls within the Merseyside police force area.
	Merseyside police were allocated a further 85 CSO posts in November under the first round of the Neighbourhood Policing Fund.

Crime

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on crime against business premises.

Hazel Blears: The Government takes business crime very seriously and recognises the costs and disruption that crime causes—as well as the knock on effects for communities and consumers. According to the 2002 Commercial Victimisation Survey (CVS), published on 26 November, crimes against retail premises is seven percentage points lower than almost ten years ago and crime against manufacturers 12 per cent. lower. This demonstrates the success of the action we have taken in a number of areas to combat crimes against businesses.
	For example, over the last three years we have invested £15 million to help small retailers in the most deprived areas and over 12,500 shops have benefited from this scheme, which has had a positive impact in reducing crime. We are providing almost £1 million to the Action Against Business Crime Group to create a national network of crime reduction partnerships. We launched a new "top tips" postcards containing step by step advice on protecting businesses on 23 September this year and will be publishing a more detailed booklet on surveying business premises early next year. We have also appointed a Business Crime Reduction Adviser in each of the Government Offices in the regions to help a wide range of businesses, as well as established a dedicated business crime team in the Home Office.

Crime

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will include crime against property on business premises as a police key performance indicator; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: As part of the drive to reduce bureaucracy, the Home Office is reducing the number of Statutory Performance Indicators (SPIs) for the police and we have no plans to introduce an additional national performance indicator on business crime. However, Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships are currently undertaking an audit of the crime and disorder and misuse of drugs problems in their area and are required to put in place effective strategies to tackle these. Where business crime has been identified as a specific problem locally, these should appear as a local priority within the strategy for that area. The 10 regional Business Crime Reduction Advisers, appointed by the Home Office, are working locally to help ensure that businesses are consulted as part of this process and that their concerns are reflected in strategies.
	In addition, local priorities identified in crime, disorder and misuse of drugs strategies in the areas of burglary, vehicle crime, street crime and antisocial behaviour will also benefit businesses, as they are often the victim of these types of crime in and around town centres.

Crime

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that crimes against business are recorded separately from other crimes; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office currently publishes annual total crime statistics recorded by the police in England and Wales for the following offences specifically relating to business crime; robbery of business property, theft by an employee, theft from shops and theft of an automatic machine or meter. The most recent figures are available in Statistical Bulletin 10/04 "Crime in England and Wales 2003–04" at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/crimeew0304.html. However, we recognise that these figures provide a limited picture of the true nature of crimes experienced by the business sector. We are also aware that businesses do not report every incidence of crime for a variety of reasons.
	Bearing this in mind, on 26 November, the Home Office also published the initial findings of the 2002 Commercial Victimisation Survey. This provided further information on the actual levels of business crime as well as an indication of the proportion of businesses which report the crimes which they suffer.
	The Home Office Business Crime Team is also looking at how current information on business crime, including retail crime, can be enhanced, in particular, whether it is feasible to identify crimes against businesses in police recorded crime statistics.

Crime

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the targets for solving (a) theft from cars, (b) domestic burglary, (c) robbery and (d) violent crimes for (i) police forces, (ii) nationally and (iii) for Northamptonshire police are: and what rates have been achieved by (A) police forces nationally and (B) Northamptonshire police.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office has not agreed specific targets for detecting crime with individual police forces, however police forces will have locally agreed targets which are published in local policing plans. The National Policing Plan for 2005–08, published in November 2004, acknowledges however that there is a strong link between the Public Service Agreement to bring 1.25 million offences to justice by 2007–08 and the necessity to improve sanction detection performance. In order to achieve the PSA target it is estimated that it will be necessary to achieve a sanction detection rate of at least 25 per cent.
	Local Criminal Justice Boards (which include chief constables) are currently negotiating targets for bringing offences to justice for local areas. The method being used to do this provides each force with an estimated sanction detection rate that will be required to achieve the agreed offences brought to justice target.
	Nationally the sanction detection rate for theft from vehicles is 6 per cent., for burglary 15 per cent., for robbery 18 per cent. and for violence against the person 50 per cent. Nationally the detection rate for theft from vehicles is 16 per cent., for burglary 15 per cent., for robbery 19 per cent. and for violence against the person 64 per cent. (all figures for 2003–04).

Crime

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the most frequent type of crime committed within the Greater London area was in the last year for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: The available information collected centrally relates to the Metropolitan police force area. The specific offence with the highest number of recorded offences in 2003–04 was theft from a vehicle with 103,899. There were 142,180 offences of other theft or unauthorised taking recorded in this period but these are made up of several different offences that cannot be included in another specific theft offence classification and cannot be separately identified.

Crime

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of (a) the average cost per incident of theft, (b) the average loss per completed burglary and (c) the average loss per completed robbery to the retail sector in (i) 2001, (ii) 2002 and (iii) 2003; what the level of incidence of (A) violence against staff and (B) completed robbery in the retail sector was in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office does not collect these figures on a regular basis. However a commercial victimisation survey was carried out in 2002 which covered the incidence and cost of crime suffered by retailers in the preceding 12 months. A summary of the findings of that survey was published on the 26 November and is available on the Home Office website http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/rfpubs1.html. A detailed report of the findings is due to be published in spring 2005.
	The British Retail Consortium carry out a regular survey of their members. Relevant findings from their annual surveys are set out as follows:
	
		
			  Average value of goods stolen by customers Average stock loss per completed burglary Incidents of robbery per 100 outlets Average loss per robbery Incidents of violence per 1,000 staff 
		
		
			 2001 111 1,858 6 1,003 7 
			 2002 88 2,722 5 1,967 6 
			 2003 162 4,881 8 1,677 7 
		
	
	Source:
	BRC 10 Annual Survey and 11 Annual Survey
	The Government recognises the detrimental impact that crime can have on retailers, their staff and the communities they serve and is taking positive action to reduce it.
	On 12 October 2004 I met with senior retailers and their trade associations to discuss the key issues faced by retailers and to seek their views on joint action to reduce retail crime. Actions coming out of this will build on the work already under way.
	The Home Office has supported the work of the British Retail Consortium in developing retail crime reduction partnerships and is providing 899 of funding for them to set up the Action Against Business Crime (AABC) Group. This Group will provide a national network of business crime reduction partnerships in town and shopping centres across England and Wales. 100 new partnerships will be set up in addition to the 100 or so already established, who will be provided with a support network.
	Recognising that a large proportion of retail crime is drug related, pilot outreach schemes have been set up, with £170,000 Home Office funding, in Brighton and Northampton to tackle the link between retail crime and drugs misuse.
	We have recently completed the "Small Retailers in Deprived Areas' initiative which provided £15 million of government funding to the most vulnerable businesses to enable them to install security measures. Over 12,500 businesses benefited from the scheme which also included a training programme on crime reduction for retailers.
	Advice on crime reduction information is available from the Home Office produced postcards "Don't Discount Crime" and "Putting Crime out of Business", both of which provide easily accessible crime reduction advice to small businesses. These are available on the Home Office website. The Health and Safety Executive has also produced specific advice on managing the risk of work related violence.
	Retailers can obtain further specific advice and assistance on crime reduction from the Business Crime Reduction Advisers based in each of the Government Offices, the Home Office website and their trade associations.
	From November 2004 the police will be able to issue fixed penalty notices for some cases of retail or commercial theft. This will ensure that more minor incidents of such theft are dealt with quickly and effectively and the 80 penalty will act as a strong deterrent for first time offenders.

Roma

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in constructing a national action plan for the UK contribution to the European Union Decade of Roma Inclusion; and what consultation he has conducted with Gypsy and Traveller groups.

Keith Hill: I have been asked to reply.
	The Decade of Roma Inclusion is an initiative involving eight states in central and south-east Europe with the objective of speeding up and improving the social inclusion and the economic status of the Roma in those countries. The United Kingdom is not a participant.
	However, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister continues to consult Gypsies and Travellers and their stakeholder groups on a range of important issues, including the planning system, appropriate accommodation and other matters.

Drug-Related Crimes (Lincolnshire)

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes committed in Lincolnshire have been drug-related in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: Information on drug related offences is not collected centrally for recorded crime. The available information relates to recorded drug offences. Statistics for the Lincolnshire police force area are given in the following tables.
	
		Table 1: Recorded drug offences in Lincolnshire—1997–98 to 2001–02(8)
		
			 Period Total Trafficking Possession Other drug offences 
		
		
			 1997 235 235 (9)— (9)— 
			 1998–99(10) 1,229 159 1,050 20 
			 1999–2000 975 151 814 10 
			 2000–01 906 128 772 6 
			 2001–02 1,116 169 942 5 
		
	
	(8) The data in this table are prior to the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for later years.
	(9) Not available.
	(10) Figures using the expanded coverage and revised rules which came into effect on 1 April 1998.
	
		Table 2: Recorded drug offences in Lincolnshire—2002–03 and 2003–04(11)
		
			  Period 
			  2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Total 1,060 1,061 
			 Trafficking 161 220 
			 Possession 894 836 
			 Other drug offences 5 5 
		
	
	(11) The data in this table take account of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Citizenship Education

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that schools include information about the criminal justice system as part of citizenship education.

Stephen Twigg: I have been asked to reply.
	Understanding the role and operation of the criminal and civil justice system in our democracy is an important part of citizenship education. Pupils learn about the work of the courts, Parliament and the Government in making and shaping the law. Detailed guidance sent to all schools by the QCA includes specific units to help teachers to develop pupils' understanding of these issues. For example, the unit "How do rules and laws affect me?" helps pupils in KS 1 and 2 (ages 5–10) to discuss and learn about how laws are made in a democracy. Other units for pupils in KS3 (ages 11–14) and KS4 (ages 14–16) build on what they have learned in primary schools by looking at how laws are enforced, how crime affects young people, victims of crime and their communities.

Exclusion Orders

John Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many exclusion orders from licensed premises have been granted in England in each of the last 10 years.

Hazel Blears: The information on the number of exclusion orders granted under the Licensed Premises (Exclusion of Certain Persons) Act 1980 is not collected centrally.

Fireworks

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firework-related complaints there were to the police in (a) 2004 and (b) 2003 in (i) England and Wales, (ii) Wales and (iii) the South Wales Police Force area.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Knife Crime

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many knife crimes took place in each (a) month and (b) year since 1997, broken down by police authority; and how many resulted in (i) fatal injury, (ii) serious injury and (iii) minor injury in each case.

Hazel Blears: The number of offences involving knives is not separated out in the recorded crime statistics. Therefore no information is available on knife offences causing serious or minor injury. The Homicide Index holds details on the number of homicides where the apparent method of killing was the use of a sharp instrument. The available information from 1997–98 to 2002–03 is given in the following table. This information is not published at police force area level.
	
		Homicides involving the use of a sharp instrument
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1997–98 202 
			 1998–99 202 
			 1999–2000 213 
			 2000–01 214 
			 2001–02 262 
			 2002–03 272

Lancashire Police

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what change there has been in funding of Lancashire police in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: The information is set out in the table.
	
		
			  General government grants(12) Annual percentage change in general government grants Specific grants and capital provision(13) Council tax precept 
			  £ million Percentage £ million Percentage 
		
		
			 1997–98 146.9 — 2.2 22.9 
			 1998–99 153.6 4.6 2.4 23.1 
			 1999–2000 155.9 1.5 2.2 25.2 
			 2000–01 162.2 4.0 6.6 27.6 
			 2001–02 168.1 3.6 18.2 30.2 
			 2001–02(14) 164.0 — 18.2 30.2 
			 2002–03 168.7 2.9 15.1 33.1 
			 2003–04 177.1 4.9 15.4 39.6 
			 2004–05 182.9 3.3 15.8 45.9 
			 2005–06(15) 190.8 4.3 N/A N/A 
		
	
	(12) General Government grants comprise Home Office Police Grant, ODPM Revenue Support Grant and National Non-Domestic Rates.
	(13) Includes funding from the Crime Fighting Fund, Rural Policing Fund, Basic Command Unit funding, Street Crime Initiative, Community Support Officer funding, Special Priority Payments, the DNA Expansion Programme, capital grant, Airwave and the Premises Improvement Fund. Total for specific grants in 2004–05 are an estimate.
	(14) Figures for 2001–02 are not directly comparable with 2002–03 due to the change in funding arrangements of NCS/NCIS. Adjusted figures for 2001–02 are therefore included.
	(15) The provisional police funding settlement for 2005–06 was announced on 2 December. Full specific grant allocations and capital provision for 2005–06 are not yet available.

Lincolnshire Police Force

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) police officers and (b) police civilian staff the Lincolnshire police force has had in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is set out in the table. Between March 1997 and August 2004 police officer numbers increased by 15 and police (support) staff numbers increased by 132. At the end of September Lincolnshire police had 44 Community Support Officers.
	
		Lincolnshire police
		
			 As at 31 March: Number of police officers Number of police (support) staff 
		
		
			 1997 1,196 521 
			 1998 1,191 541 
			 1999 1,140 517 
			 2000 1,115 516 
			 2001 1,202 561 
			 2002 1,198 600 
			 2003 1,221 637 
			 2004 1,228 653 
			 2004 (31 August) 1,211 n/a 
		
	
	Police numbers can fluctuate because of differences between a force's wastage and recruitment cycles. The force aims to maintain police strength at March 2004 levels.

Lincolnshire Police Force

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences have been recorded by Lincolnshire Police Force in each year since 1995, broken down by category.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is given in the tables.
	
		Table 1: Recorded offences in Lincolnshire—1995 to 2001–02(16)
		
			 Period Total Violence against the person Sexual offences Robbery Burglary 
		
		
			 1995 48,015 2,514 367 128 12,243 
			 1996 47,069 2,701 293 138 12,891 
			 1997 43,381 3,051 329 107 10,551 
			 1998–99(17) 46,670 4,239 393 149 10,257 
			 1999–2000 46,170 3,866 325 178 10,719 
			 2000–01 44,884 3,743 281 191 9,583 
			 2001–02 49,797 4,812 414 251 9,592 
		
	
	
		
			 Period Theft and handling stolen goods Fraud and forgery Criminal damage Drug offences Other 
		
		
			 1995 22,774 1,163 8,138 219 469 
			 1996 21,085 1,148 8,289 185 411 
			 1997 20,085 1,382 7,145 235 496 
			 1998–99(17) 19,328 2,723 7,728 1,229 624 
			 1999–2000 19,551 1,641 8,391 975 524 
			 2000–01 18,938 1,662 9,078 906 502 
			 2001–02 19,728 1,968 11,282 1,116 634 
		
	
	(16) The data in this table are prior to the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for later years.
	(17) Figures using the expanded coverage and revised counting rules which came into effect on 1 April 1998.
	
		Table 2: Recorded offences in Lincolnshire—2002–03 and 2003–04(18)
		
			  Period 
			  2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Total 61,949 60,377 
			 Violence against the person 9,238 10,148 
			 Sexual offences 583 636 
			 Robbery 307 304 
			 Burglary 10,831 9,052 
			 Theft and handling stolen goods 22,745 20,665 
			 Fraud and forgery 2,580 2,320 
			 Criminal damage 13,694 15,176 
			 Drug offences 1,060 1,061 
			 Other 911 1,015 
		
	
	(18) The data in this table take account of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Ministerial Cars

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list occasions since 1 January 2002 when he has authorised his official car to be used to transport unauthorised personnel; and if he will estimate the cost to the public purse.

Charles Clarke: holding answer 20 December 2004
	I have not used my official car to transport unauthorised personnel on any occasion. The last Home Secretary has said that he only authorised the transport of people in his car on journeys which were being undertaken in any event for purposes for which his official car is provided.

Missing Persons Helpline

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will meet the case management and IT staff costs of the National Missing Persons Helpline to implement from 17 January 2005 the National Agreement for sharing of information on missing people with all UK police forces.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office has committed to provide the National Missing Persons Helpline with 120,000 to fund the costs associated with the implementation of the National Agreement until the end of March 2005. This will enable the first phase of the implementation of the National Agreement to take place.
	The Home Office has been considering with the National Missing Persons Helpline a range of potential sources of sustainability funding for the National Agreement beyond March 2005.

Police

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effects of the changes in the regime for local authority funding on the ability of Kent police to meet their crime reduction target; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Government general grants for police authorities are based on a formula assessment of relative need and on local resources. Kent Police Authority continues to be protected by the grant damping mechanism that limits the impact of year on year changes. It has gained £14.7 million in 2004–05 and under the provisional grant settlement is provided with £11.5 million in 2005–06.
	The Police Performance Monitoring report for 2003–04, published in September 2004, looks at performance over six domains of policing. This report shows that performance in Kent is generally improving and is above that of its Most Similar Forces for the domains of Reducing Crime and Investigating Crime. Overall target crime levels fell by 6.0 per cent. Domestic burglary fell by 1.9 per cent., vehicle crime by 7.6 per cent. and robbery by 5.6 per cent.

Police

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pieces of guidance have been sent to (a) police forces and (b) police authorities in each year since 1997; and how many pages each piece of guidance contained.

Hazel Blears: This information is not kept centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Police

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated cost to police authorities is in this financial year of increased British Medical Association(recommended charges for police surgeons.

Hazel Blears: I understand the matter is still under consideration by the Joint Negotiating Committee for Forensic Medical Examiners. I have made no estimate of the cost to police authorities of an increase in charges.

Police

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 30 November 2004, Official Report, column 50W, on what dates representatives of the Home Office met key stakeholders to discuss the future of the police training centre at Bruche; who was present at each of these meetings; and what options for the future of the Bruche centre were considered.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 9 December 2004
	Under the modernisation of probationer training, various options for the national implementation of the modernised probationer training programme have been discussed throughout 2004. The Head of Police Training and Development in the Home Office has been the lead official in most of these discussions, which have also involved the former and current Chief Executives of CENTREX, several members of CENTREX's Senior Management Team, the Association of Chief Police Officers, various representatives of the Association of Police Authorities, and others.
	The national implementation of the new probationer training programme will necessarily be linked to the cessation of current Foundation Training provision at CENTREX regional training centres, and there will be implications for the future of CENTREX's estate. However, the precise nature of these implications is a matter for the CENTREX Board and Senior Management Team, and no firm decisions regarding the future of the Bruche centre itself have yet been made.

Police

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many accidents there were involving police vehicles in (a) England, (b) the North East and (c) Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland in the last year for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: Figures on the number of accidents involving police vehicles are not published centrally.

Property Searches (Terrorism Legislation)

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the use of anti-terrorism legislation to search properties in Rusholme and Moss Side in December.

Charles Clarke: holding answer 16 December 2004
	Greater Manchester Police have informed me that on the night of Monday 29 December a man was arrested by traffic police for a routine traffic matter and was charged with several motoring offences. A search of a vehicle was carried out to confirm his identity in line with usual procedures. As a result of items found in the car, police then obtained warrants under the Terrorism Act 2000 for three addresses—one in Cheetham Hill, one in Moss Side and one in Rusholme.
	All three addresses were searched by police officers and, as a result of inquiries, five people were arrested under Immigration legislation and detained pending inquiries by the Immigration Service.
	Inquiries are now concluded and we are satisfied that no terrorist related offences have been committed.

Property Searches (Terrorism Legislation)

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions anti-terrorism legislation has been used to (a) stop and arrest individuals and (b) search premises; on how many of these occasions charges ensued; and on how many occasions charges under anti-terrorism legislation were brought.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 16 December 2004
	For the financial year 2003–04, there were 25,692 searches made under section 44(1), Terrorism Act 2000, with 373 resultant arrests; and 8,106 searches under section 44(2), with 118 resultant arrests. Stop and search powers under the Terrorism Act are should not be evaluated using arrest statistics. The powers are used by police in areas potentially targeted by terrorists to prevent and deter attacks
	Further details are available in Home Office Statistical Bulletin 18/04 "Arrests for Notifiable Offences and the Operation of Certain Powers under PACE, England and Wales 2003/04" which is published by Research Development and Statistics (RDS) on the Home Office website at www.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk/rds/
	Statistics on arrests and charges from 11 September 2001 until 30 September 2004 under the Terrorism Act 2000 are available on the Home Office website at www.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk/terrorism/. (These are compiled from recent police records and are therefore subject to change as cases go through the system.)
	Arrests
	Police records show that from 11 September 2001 until 30 September 2004, 664 people were arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000.
	Charges
	118 of these were charged under the Act. Of these, 44 were also charged with offences under other legislation.
	135 were charged under other legislation. This includes charges for terrorist offences that are already covered in general criminal law such as murder, grievous bodily harm and use of firearms or explosives.
	Convictions
	17 Individuals have been convicted of offences under the Terrorism Act Records on the number of searches of premises and resultant charges are not collated centrally.

Security Alerts

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with (a) US security officials and (b) UK security officials regarding security alerts at (i) Newark airport, (ii) JFK airport and (iii) Dulles-Washington airport in (A) 2002, (B) 2003 and (C) 2004; what public information was available regarding any such security alerts; and what discussions he has had with non-government employees regarding such security alerts.

Charles Clarke: Both my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport and I have had frequent discussions with US authorities about aviation security over the period in question. Aviation security has been a high priority for both countries since September 11 and has featured regularly in my own discussions with the US Homeland Security Secretary, Tom Ridge. We have considered the intelligence on terrorist threats to aviation and the range of preventative measures we have put in place. Additionally, my right hon. Friend has had frequent discussions with representatives of the aviation industry, through the medium of the National Aviation Security Committee and in other contacts.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004 departmental special advisers travelled (a) domestically and (b) abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost.

Charles Clarke: Between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004, departmental special advisers travelled abroad in an official capacity on nine occasions at an average total cost of £3,938. The countries visited were USA (twice),France (twice), Spain, Switzerland, India/Pakistan, Portugal and Germany.
	Information on domestic trips taken by special advisers is not held centrally. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	All travel by special advisers is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Civil Service Management Code:

Special Constables

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables have been appointed in each year since 1997; and how many are currently employed.

Hazel Blears: Special constables are volunteers and are not employees. The total number of special constables in England and Wales in each year since 1997 is as follows:
	
		
			 31 March Number of special constables 
		
		
			 1997 19,874 
			 1998 18,256 
			 1999 16,484 
			 2000 14,347 
			 2001 12,722 
			 2002 11,598 
			 2003 11,037 
			 2004 10,988 
		
	
	There are no separate statistics published for the number of special constables appointed each year. Research suggests that the main reason for the fall in numbers is external commitments, with ineffective management and deployment also contributing. Some specials leave to join as regular officers.
	The Government have been working on a wide variety of measures with the Association of Chief Police Officers, the special constabulary and other stakeholders to arrest the decline in numbers. These include the national specials weekend, a national advertising campaign and capacity building funding, enabling forces to target resources to help improve recruitment, retention and management.

Special Constables

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables are serving in the Metropolitan Police Force.

Hazel Blears: Figures on special constabulary strength are contained in Home Office Statistical Bulletin 13/04. On 31 March 2004 there were 742 special constables serving in the Metropolitan police, an increase of 50 compared with 31 March 2003.

Tolleshunt D'Arcy Case

Andrew Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will instruct the Essex Constabulary to give to Mr. Jeremy Bamber's solicitors all audio tapes in its possession relating to events at White House Farm, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, 7 August 1985.

Hazel Blears: The disclosure of information held by Essex Constabulary is a matter for the Chief Officer of the force, unless otherwise instructed to do so by a court. If the information requested is available under the access provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 or the Freedom of Information Act 2000 then Mr. Bamber may have his own rights to gain access to such information under this legislation.

Travel Costs

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total travel costs to his Department have been for (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials for each year since 1997.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 9 December 2004
	Since 1999, the Government publishes, on an annual basis, the total costs of all ministerial overseas travel and a list of all visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500. Travel costs for special advisers who accompany their Ministers overseas is included in the annual list on Overseas Travel by Cabinet Ministers.
	Details on the costs of Ministers' domestic travel and further details on the costs of special advisers travel for this period are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	All travel is undertaken in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

Young Offenders

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 6 December 2004, Official Report, column 396W,on young offenders, what plans he has to implement basic skills tests at regular periods throughout a young offender's sentence.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 20 December 2004
	I have been asked to reply.
	There is a statutory requirement to assess basic skills levels of all prisoners entering custody. Juvenile offenders are currently assessed upon entry to prison, upon release from prison and at the end of their sentence in the community. Assessment of juvenile basic skills level is carried out using the PLUS assessment tool.
	Currently, convicted young adult offenders are assessed for crimeogenic factors using Offender Assessment System (known as OASys) a toolkit developed by the National Probation Service which can highlight an offenders educational need as part of the need to reduce re-offending. The assessment contributes to a plan for life and is linked to a national computer system containing reference to their skills and training.
	In future the National Offender Management Service in conjunction with the Offenders Learning and Skills Unit (OLSU) and its partners will include basic skills achievement monitoring as part of the individual learner record. The record will include information on the learner's basic skills level allowing practitioners in the education field to track the progress of the learner. The first rollout of the record will take place as part of the OLSU future service delivery in three development regions next August followed by a national rollout in 2006.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Arup Economics and Planning

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what preliminary reports he has received from Arup Economics and Planning concerning their research project LGR65/12/110, Evaluation of the Role and Impact of Regional Chambers; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

Keith Hill: The technical Report following the feasibility study has been completed and a copy has been made available in the Library of the House. The interim report is currently being finalised by ARUP and will be submitted to my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister in January 2005. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House when available.

Building Regulations

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to revise Part J of the Building Regulations to enhance the integrity of domestic oil tanks.

Phil Hope: The Part J requirements, including those for protection against oil pollution, came into effect on 1 April 2002 following extensive consultation. A comprehensive survey of the impact of this is planned for next year, and it would be premature to revise the requirements before the results of this survey are available. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is aware, however, that the Environment Agency and industry are becoming more concerned about domestic oil pollution, and officials are considering with them what further advice might be issued.

Business Rates

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what changes have been made to business rate (a) multipliers and (b) reliefs since May 1997.

Nick Raynsford: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) The calculation of the business rate multiplier is laid down in the Local Government Finance Act 1988. It rises with inflation based on the Retail Price Index (RPI) of September except in a revaluation year when it is re-based to take into account of the overall rise in rateable value arising from the revaluation.
	The changes to the multiplier since 1997 are as follows:
	
		
			  Changes 
		
		
			 1997–98 45.8 
			 1998–99 47.4 
			 1999–2000 48.9 
			 2000–01 41.6 
			 2001–02 43.0 
			 2002–03 43.7 
			 2003–03 44.4 
			 2004–05 45.6 
			 2005–06 (19)42.2 
		
	
	The multiplier for 2005–06 includes an uplift to pay for the small business rate relief scheme. Ratepayers that meet the small business rate relief criteria have a lower multiplier of 41.5p used to calculate their rate bill.
	The following reliefs have been introduced since May 1997
	A. Rural Rate Relief introduced December 1997
	50 per cent. relief applied to qualifying properties as follows:
	(a) . General store and post office is a rural settlement under the Rateable Value (RV) threshold below
	(b) Public House or petrol station under the RV threshold below.
	
		
			 Rural rate relief 1997 2000 2005 
		
		
			 General stores and post offices (Mandatory) 5,000 6,000 7,000 
			 Petrol stations and public houses (Mandatory) n/a 9,000 10,500 
			 Other businesses (Mandatory) n/a 6,000 7,000 
			 Discretionary rural rate relief 10,000 12,000 14,000 
		
	
	B. Former Agricultural Premises (introduced 2001)
	50 per cent. relief is offered to qualifying properties under a threshold of £6,000. This threshold will be increased from April 2005 to £7,000.
	C. Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) (introduced from 1 April 2004)
	80 per cent. relief for qualifying hereditaments.
	D. Small Business Rate Relief (introduced from 1 April 2005)
	Qualifying properties below £5,000 will get 50 per cent. rate relief and this will decrease on a sliding scale of 1 per cent. for every £100 up to £9,999. Qualifying properties with a RV from £5,000 to £9,999 will have their rate bills calculated using the small business non-domestic rating multiplier.
	Qualifying properties with an RV from £10,000 to £14,999 outside London and from £10,000 to £21,499 within London will have the small business non-domestic rating multiplier applied to the calculation of their bill.
	E. Empty property relief
	Small properties under the threshold do not pay rates on empty properties. The threshold was £1,500 in 1997, raised to £1,900 in 2000 and £2,200 in 2005.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of official departmental Christmas cards included a contribution to charity in their cost; and which charities benefited from such a contribution.

Phil Hope: All of the official Christmas cards sent out by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister included a contribution to charity. The charity to benefit was WaterAid.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost of postage was for official Departmental Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Phil Hope: It is the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's policy to send mail by second class post where ever possible. 3,500 official Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Christmas cards were sent in 2003 and 2004. The cost of postage is not recorded separately but is estimated at current Royal Mail prices to be in the region of 735. All expenditure incurred in the purchase of official Christmas cards is made in accordance with the departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in Government Accounting.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost was of purchasing official Departmental Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Phil Hope: The cost of purchasing official Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Christmas cards in 2003 was £3,091.58 + VAT and £3,180 + VAT in 2004. A proportion of this cost (25 pence per card) is donated to charity. All expenditure incurred in the purchase of official Christmas cards is made in accordance with the departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in Government Accounting.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many official Christmas cards were sent out by his Department in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Phil Hope: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister sent out 3,500 Christmas Cards in 2003 and shall be sending out up to 3,500 in 2004.

Council Tax

Tim Boswell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many pensioners have been prosecuted for non-payment of council tax in each year since 1997.

Nick Raynsford: Non-payment of council tax is not a criminal offence. If the appropriate reminder notices have been sent and a debt remains unpaid, a local billing authority may apply to the Magistrates court for a Liability Order which formally establishes that there is a debt. The Liability Order enables enforcement action to be taken.
	The Government do not collect council tax enforcement statistics. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy does collect statistics from information supplied by some local authorities. However, these figures are not broken down by age group.

Fire Control Rooms

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the location is of each fire control room in England, broken down by region; and how many people are employed by each.

Nick Raynsford: The information requested is tabled as follows.
	
		Staff in post on 31 March 2004 (all persons having a fire control rank)
		
			 Region Staff (full-time equivalents) 
		
		
			 East of England: six control rooms 
			 Kempston, Bedford 25 
			 Huntingdon 31 
			 Hutton (Essex) 44 
			 Hertford 24 
			 Heathersett, Norwich 26 
			 Ipswich 23 
			   
			 East Midlands: five control rooms 
			 Littleover, Derby 29 
			 Glenfield, Leicester 31 
			 Lincoln 24 
			 Northampton 26 
			 Arnold, Nottingham 25 
			 London: one control room 
			 London SE1 103 
			   
			 North East: four control rooms  
			 Hartlepool 25 
			 Durham 28 
			 Morpeth 20 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 40 
			   
			 North West: five control rooms  
			 Winsford 27 
			 Cockermouth 19 
			 Swinton, Manchester 65 
			 Fulwood, Preston 43 
			 Bootle, Liverpool 58 
			   
			 South East: nine control rooms  
			 Tilehurst, Reading 34 
			 Aylesbury 20 
			 Eastbourne 26 
			 Eastleigh 38 
			 Newport (Isle of Wight) 12 
			 Tovil, Maidstone 39 
			 Kidlington, Oxford 22 
			 Reigate 29 
			 Chichester 28 
			   
			 South West: seven control rooms  
			 Bristol 32 
			 Truro 16 
			 Clyst St. George, Exeter 31 
			 Dorchester 23 
			 Quedgeley, Gloucester 23 
			 Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton 19 
			 Potterne, Devizes 22 
			   
			 West Midlands: five control rooms 
			 Worcester 21 
			 Shrewsbury 16 
			 Stone 33 
			 Royal Leamington Spa 18 
			 Birmingham 65 
			   
			 Yorkshire and the Humber: four control rooms 
			 Kingston upon Hull 28 
			 Northallerton 22 
			 Sheffield 39 
			 Birkenshaw, West Yorkshire 51 
		
	
	Source:
	Fire and Rescue Service annual returns to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Fire Control Rooms

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what systems he has put in place to monitor the impact on the performance of fire control services of the proposed transition from the existing control room structure to a structure of nine regional control rooms for the whole of England.

Nick Raynsford: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will be putting in place a standard set of performance measures appropriate to the fire and rescue control service, well in advance of the first regional control centre going live. These will be used to measure consistently the performance of current control rooms, and will provide a baseline for the performance of the regional control centres.

Fire Control Rooms

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he took to publicise the meeting held in Oxford on Friday 12 November on regional fire control centres; how many people attended that meeting; what the total cost of organising, conducting and publicising the meeting was; and which fire and rescue authorities were represented.

Nick Raynsford: The meeting in question was held on Thursday 11 November in Oxford Town Hall. It was announced at the meeting of the Oxfordshire county Council scrutiny committee on 25 October. Additionally the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister issued a press statement to all local media. I mentioned the meeting in an interview with the Oxford Mail a couple of days prior to the meeting. All MPs and councillors in Oxfordshire (both Country and District) were written to informing them of the meeting as were members of the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and other key stakeholders.
	The meeting was attended by around 50 people. Excluding staff time the total cost of organising, conducting and publicising the meeting was approximately £700. The meeting only covered one Fire and Rescue Authority.

Firelink Radio System

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for what reasons the contract award announcement in respect of the Firelink Radio System was not made in November; and when he expects it to be made.

Nick Raynsford: The Firelink contract award announcement was postponed following a detailed assessment of the technical and commercial matters to be resolved before the conclusion of negotiations. The contract award date the project is working to is May 2005.

Government Office Regions

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport concerning the savings achieved by English Heritage in abandoning a structure based on the Government office regions and instead adopting four territories, north, south, east and west; and if he will disseminate information on such savings to bodies for which his Department is responsible.

Nick Raynsford: English Heritage is retaining its nine regional offices, based on the Government office regions, and is strengthening them by appointing four new territory directors. No discussions have been held with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister about savings resulting from English Heritage's reorganisation. Any savings would be a matter for my right.. hon. Friend the Secretary of State, for Culture, Media and Sport and for English Heritage.

Grants

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list, by council, voluntary sector grants awarded in the last three years.

Fiona Mactaggart: I have been asked to reply
	Local authorities do not routinely report centrally on voluntary sector grants awarded.
	The Home Office is currently carrying out research about local authorities' funding of voluntary and community organisations. This will provide aggregate information on funding but will not list individual local authorities.
	Findings from this research will be published next autumn.

Homelessness

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the number of people accessing shelters for the homeless on Christmas Day in each of the last 10 years.

Phil Hope: This information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Local Government Finance

Edward Leigh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will make public the report of Sir Michael Lyons' review of local government finance.

Nick Raynsford: The Government have appointed Sir Michael Lyons to undertake an independent inquiry that will consider the detailed case for changes to the present system of local government funding and make recommendations on any changes that are necessary and how to implement them. The inquiry's terms of reference require it to report by the end of 2005 to my right hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I expect the report to be published to the same timescale.

Local Government Finance

Edward Leigh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what account he will take of the costs of providing local authority services in rural areas within the distribution of formula grant; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given in reply to the right hon. and learned Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham (Mr. Hogg) on 11 November 2004, Official Report, column 846W.

Local Government Finance

Edward Leigh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to give local authorities more flexibility on how they spend grant support.

Nick Raynsford: The Government generally seek to limit the amount of funding for local government which is centrally controlled or ring-fenced. In 2005–06 the percentage of central grant which is ring-fenced will fall again by a further 2 per cent. to 9 per cent..
	Education is the Government's key national priority and we aim to give schools as much stability, freedom and flexibility in their funding as possible. In order to do so, we have already announced our proposals to provide, from 2006–07, funding for schools through a grant from the Department for Education and Skills to local authorities. On non-schools spending we will continue to provide as much freedom and flexibility to local authorities as possible.

Local Government Finance

Edward Leigh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the per capita formula grant support was given by his Department in 2004–05 to (a) Lincolnshire county council, (b) Lincolnshire Police Authority, (c) Boston borough council, (d) East Lindsey district council, (e) City of Lincoln council, (f) North Kesteren district council, (g) South Holland district council, (h) South Kesteren district council and (i) West Lindsey district council.

Nick Raynsford: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given in reply to the right hon. and learned Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham (Mr. Hogg) on 11 November 2004, Official Report, column 848W.

Local Government Finance

Edward Leigh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average per capita formula grant support was for all local authority services in 2004–05 in (a) England, (b) inner London, (c) outer London and (d) Lincolnshire.

Nick Raynsford: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given in reply to the right hon. and learned Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham (Mr. Hogg) on 11 November 2004, Official Report, column 847W.

Local Government Pensions

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people will be affected by the decision to increase the minimum age at which benefits from the local government pension scheme can be paid from 50 to 55 years; and if he will phase in this change.

Phil Hope: It is not possible to calculate the number of people affected by the Scheme change referred to by my hon. Friend because any incidence of payment of Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) benefits between the ages of 50 and 55 is subject to individual employer decisions. The change is being phased in; members who are 50 or over by 31 March 2005 are unaffected, this means that the minimum benefit age for all existing members effectively increases in one year steps between 2005 and 2010.

Local Planning Authority Staff

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of working days of planning department staff employed by local planning authorities in England were lost due to sickness in the last period for which figures are available.

Phil Hope: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Planning

Andrew Smith: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many planning appeals against conversion of existing residential accommodation in Oxford to flats for multiple occupation he has determined in the last two years; and how many were allowed.

Keith Hill: The information requested is tabled as follows:
	
		Oxford city council
		
			  Number of decisions issued Number allowed 
		
		
			 2002–03 7 3 
			 2003–04 11 6 
			 2004–05 up to 30 November 2004 16 11

Planning

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the Regional Planning Guidance notes in force in England and the date of the publication of each.

Keith Hill: Regional planning guidance (RPG) was replaced by regional spatial strategies (RSS) on commencement of part one of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. At the same time, secondary regulations prescribed that the existing RPG would become the RSS for the region. The following table shows the RSS's currently in force in England along with their date of publication. The titles of these documents still refer to RPG as they were published prior to commencement of the Act. All documents listed now have RSS status.
	
		
			  Date of publication 
		
		
			 Regional Planning Guidance for the North East to 2016 (RPG1) November 2002 
			 Regional Planning Guidance for East Anglia to 2016 (RPG6) and the parts of RPG9, below, that relate to Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Essex November 2000 
			 Regional Planning Guidance for the East Midlands to 2021 (RPG8) January 2002 
			 Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9) as revised in July by 2004 by the Regional Transport Strategy (Chapter 9) and the Ashford Growth Area (Chapter 12) and excluding parts relating to Greater London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Essex March 2001 
			 Regional Planning Guidance for the South West (RPG10) September 2001 
			 Regional Planning Guidance for the West Midlands (RPG11) June 2004 
			 Regional Planning Guidance for Yorkshire and the Humber to 2016 (RPG12) October 2001 
			 Regional Planning Guidance for the North West (RPG1 3) March 2003

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  whether departmental special advisers have been responsible for authorising instances of departmental spending since May 1997;
	(2)  whether departmental special advisers have given instructions to permanent civil servants without the explicit authorisation of Ministers since May 1997.

Phil Hope: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for South Shields (Mr. Miliband) on 16 December 2004, Official Report, column 1258W.

Travel Costs

Julian Lewis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total travel costs to his Department have been for (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials for each year since 1997.

Phil Hope: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was formed on 29 May 2002.
	Since 1999, the Government publishes, on an annual basis, the total costs of all ministerial overseas travel and a list of all visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500. Copies of the lists are available in the Library of the House.
	For details on the cost of Ministers' domestic travel, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 22 July 2004, Official Report, column 568W, to the right hon. Member for Haltemprice and Howden (David Davis).
	Information on the travel costs for special advisers who accompany Ministers on overseas visits are included in the annual list on overseas travel by Cabinet Ministers. Information on domestic visits could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	For travel costs incurred by officials, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 20 July 2004, Official Report, column 201W, to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable).
	All travel is undertaken in accordance with the guidelines set out in the "Ministerial Code" and the "Civil Service Management Code".

Working Time Regulations

Graham Brady: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many officials working in ministerial private offices in the Department have worked more than a 48 hour week at any time in the last 12 months for which figures are available; how many of those had signed a waiver under working time regulations; and what percentage these figures represented of the total in each case.

Phil Hope: The working time regulations provide workers with the protection of a limit of an average of 48 hours a week working time. This is not an absolute cap of 48 hours in any one week. This average is normally calculated over a 17-week reference period, although this can be longer in certain situations (26 weeks) and can be extended by agreement (up to 52 weeks). Workers may choose to work more than 48 hours per week over this reference period by signing an opt-out agreement, but employers cannot force a worker to sign an opt-out, and workers cannot be subjected to detriment for refusing to sign an opt-out.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has 30 officials working in ministerial private offices who have signed a waiver under working time regulations.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

School Sport

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much of the additional £431 million given to expand school sport has been specifically allocated to targeting the participation of girls.

Richard Caborn: On 14 December the Prime Minister announced that £519 million had been allocated to continue and build on the National Strategy for PE and School Sport in 2006–07 and 2007–08. None of that funding has been specifically allocated at national level to targeting girls' participation.
	The national strategy is reaching out to all pupils and the target to ensure that 85 per cent. of five to 16-year-olds doing at least two hours high quality PE and school sport each week by 2008 will be a key driver for schools to ensure that they are genuinely inclusive in their provision. At local level, we expect school sport partnerships to make provision for targeting girls, where that is necessary, by broadening opportunities and tailoring delivery to girls' needs. Over 40 different sports and activities—attractive to both boys and girls—are already offered across all partnership schools, with the average per school being 14. Dance is the most popular activity after football—it's offered in 94 per cent. of partnership schools.
	To date, more than 1,200 secondary schools have benefited from the Youth Sport Trust/Nike Girls in Sport initiative. This seeks to encourage greater participation by girls through changing or relaxing kit specifications, extending the range of activities (e.g. aerobics or girls' football) and improving showers and changing rooms. All schools in school sport partnerships are encouraged to adopt these principles.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Parliamentary Security Co-ordinator

Marion Roe: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire representing the House of Commons Commission what progress has been made in the appointment of a Parliamentary Security Co-ordinator to lead the implementation of the Security Review.

Archy Kirkwood: Mr. Speaker and the Lord Chairman of Committees have appointed Mr. Peter Mason as Parliamentary Security Co-ordinator to carry out the duties described in my answer to the hon. Lady of 8 November 2004, Official Report, column 449W. Mr. Mason will be on secondment from the security service, and his appointment is for a period of two years.

DEFENCE

Aircraft Carriers

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the contract for the Physical Integrator role for the Future Aircraft Carrier project is worth.

Adam Ingram: The initial contract for the Physical Integrator role for the Future Aircraft Carrier could be up to £5 million depending on timing and content.

BAE Systems

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) contracted price and (b) in-service date was originally agreed with BAE Systems for the building of the Mount Bay and Cardigan Bay vessels at Govan; what the latest forecasts are; what the reasons for the changes are; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: BAE Systems was awarded a contract for £122 million in November 2001 to build two Landing Ships Dock (Auxiliary). The company is contracted to deliver the two vessels to the Ministry of Defence, which will then conduct user trials before declaring the ships to be "in-service". At the time of the original contract, Mounts Bay was expected to enter service in March 2005 and Cardigan Bay in October 2005. Technical difficulties with the design and construction of the first two Bay Class ships by Swan Hunter, the lead yard for the class, have had a knock-on effect on BAE Systems. The resulting delays mean that the latest forecast in-service date for the first of Class, Largs Bay, is 2006. The impact of the delays on the BAE Systems contract price and in-service dates is currently the subject of discussions with the company which are commercial in confidence and I am therefore withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 7a of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Brigade of Guards

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to merge the regiments of the Brigade of Guards; and if he will make a statement;

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Geoff Hoon: I refer my hon. Friends to the statement I made on 16 December 2004, Official Report, columns 1195–218W.

British Army Bases

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British Army bases there are in England and Wales.

Ivor Caplin: This information is not held centrally and will take a little time to collate. I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Cape Wrath Range

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the dates on which the Cape Wrath range has been subject to short notice activation in (a) 2004 and (b) each of the preceding four years; and on which dates no activity took place at the range.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 30 November 2004
	No formal system is in place to record Short Notice Activations. A comparison between the Cape Wrath Range Notifications issued by Flag Officer Scotland Northern England and Northern Ireland (FOSNNI) and the local records at the Cape Wrath Range has identified just one such activation since 2000. This is as far back as FOSNNI's records go.
	The occasion identified in the FOSNNI records occurred in September 2004, when FOSNNI received and approved a request to allow the aerial bombardment of Garvie Island during the week commencing 13 September.
	Although bombardment of Garvie Island only took place on 14–15 September 2004, military activity did continue on the Range throughout the period covered by the Short Notice Activation.

Challenger Tank (Chain Gun)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what circumstances led to the recent issue of instructions about the application of the safety catch to the chain gun, as fitted to the Challenger tank;
	(2)  under what circumstances army personnel have been ordered (a) not to apply and (b) to apply the safety catch to the chain gun, as fitted to the Challenger tank.

Adam Ingram: The applied safety lever on the chain gun, which is mounted in the turret of the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank, is redundant by design and incapable of operation by the crew. It has never formed part of the crew safety drills, which are designed to compensate for this. Following an undemanded firing incident in Iraq in April 2003, a review of the chain gun firing drills on Challenger 2 was carried out and a change made to further reduce the possibility of the vehicle commander inadvertently firing the gun.
	The armament selector switch remains the primary safety device and the chain gun is safe to use provided operational safety instructions and drills are followed.

Challenger Tank (Chain Gun)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action has been taken to rectify problems associated with the chain gun as fitted to the Challenger Tank.

Adam Ingram: A single case of undemanded firing of the chain gun on Challenger 2 occurred in Iraq in April 2003. There were no injuries as a result of the incident and investigations revealed that it resulted from a short circuit in the firing system. A modification has subsequently been designed and manufactured, which has now completed trials by the Design Authority, BAE Land Systems (formerly Alvis Vickers Ltd.). The modification is due to be considered for acceptance before Christmas and, subject to acceptance, will proceed to implementation.

Challenger Tank (Chain Gun)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many incidents have been reported of the jamming of the chain gun as fitted to the Challenger Tank, in (a) Iraq and (b) elsewhere, with particular reference to instances of the gun being fired without command; and what procedure is followed when an incident occurs.

Adam Ingram: There have been four reported cases of jamming of the chain gun on Challenger 2 in Iraq and 51 in total since its introduction into service. Jamming/stoppages may occur during normal operation of the chain gun, as they do on all machine guns, and are not linked to undemanded firing, of which there has only been one reported incident. In the event of a jam or stoppage in the chain gun, Challenger 2 crews follow an established drill to clear the problem.

Correspondence

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Minister of State for the Armed Forces will reply to the letters to him from the hon. Member for Vale of York, of 17 May, 6 July and 28 September, regarding the number of departmental personnel in the Vale of York.

Ivor Caplin: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 10 May 2004, Official Report, column 126W and 25 May 2004, Official Report, column 1614W.
	The Department is collating from records held at local level, although the information is not currently held in the format requested.

Deepcut

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) the terms of reference and (b) scope of the further review into the Deepcut allegations announced on 30 November are; who will lead the review; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to my written ministerial statement on 15 December 2004, Official Report, column 132WS.

Dentistry

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average cost per person for emergency dental provision in the UK for dependents of military personnel was in the last period for which figures are available.

Ivor Caplin: The Defence Dental Agency (DDA) is not responsible for providing emergency dental provision in the United Kingdom for dependants of military personnel, as provision of that service falls to the NHS, rather than the Ministry of Defence.
	There is therefore no cost to the MOD for such treatment.

Departmental Expenditure

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the running costs of the Department were in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) electricity, (b) water, (c) gas, (d) telephones, (e) mobile telephones and (f) televisions.

Ivor Caplin: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Projects

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all (a) category A, (b) category B and (c) category C projects of his Department that have received (i) Initial Gate and (ii) Main Gate approval since 31 March 1997; and when approval was achieved in each case.

Adam Ingram: The following table provides details of Initial Gate and Main Gate approvals given by the Investment Approvals Board. The information covers all current Category A, B and C equipment projects that have had either Initial Gate or Main Gate approval but which had not achieved In Service Date (ISD) as of 1 November 2004. The table shows original approval dates only and does not include any subsequent re-approvals. Before April 2002, approval for non-equipment projects was delegated to a number of different organisations within the Department. As records are not held centrally, information for non-equipment projects approved before that date could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Cat Project Date approved 
		
		
			  Non-equipment approvals for current post-initial gate/pre-main gate Cat A-C projects  
			 A Project AphroditeCyprus PFI project May 2002 
			 A Inner London Barracks August 2002 
			 A Defence Training Review August 2002 
			 A Defence Housing ExecutivePrime Contract October 2002 
			 A Corsham Development Project October 2002 
			 A Interim Storage Of Laid-Up Submarines December 2002 
			 A Defence Medical Information Capability Programme (Formerly Surgeon General's Information Strategy (SGIS) January 2003 
			 A Whole Fleet Management March 2003 
			 A Network Integration Test and Experimental Capability (Formerly Experimental Network Integration Facility) July 2003 
			 A Future Defence Supply Chain Initiative (Formerly PDCSI) August 2003 
			 A Material FlowManagement of Material in Transit November 2003 
			 A Project PRIME (Portsmouth Regeneration and Investment in the Maritime Estate) March 2004 
			 A Human Resources Service Delivery Organisation (Formerly Future Civilian HR (FCHR)) April 2004 
			 A MOD Estates London June 2004 
			 A D154 Project Devonport July 2004 
			 B Defence Academy Shrivenham July 2004 
			 B Air Movements Operations August 2004 
			 B Defence Travel Modernisation November 2004 
			 C Land Digitisation Integration March 2002 
			 C Defence Estates IS (Formerly Project Alexander Information System) March 2003 
			 C DCS A End to End Service Management System May 2003 
			 C Future Pay Project June 2003 
			
			  Non-equipment approvals for main gate Cat A-C projects  
			 A White Fleet PFI October 2000 
			 A Single Living Accommodation September 2002 
			 A Digitisation of the Battlespace (Land)Com BAT, Infra and Platform September 2002 
			 A Otterburn Training Area November 2002 
			 A Project AquatrineWater and Wastewater Services PFI December 2002 
			 A Hayes Record Office January 2003 
			 A SSN Berthing HMNB Clyde March 2003 
			 A Defence Estates Regional Prime ContractingScotland March 2003 
			 A Project NEPTUNE March 2003 
			 A Defence Information Infrastructure (Army) (Formerly Army Information Infrastructure (All) March 2003 
			 A Defence Information Infrastructure (Head Office) July 2003 
			 A Defence Information Infrastructure (Fleet First) August 2003 
			 A Catterick Garrison SDR ProjectGaza/Megiddo Lines October 2003 
			 A DLO BCP Defence Electronic Commerce ServiceE-Catalogues December 2003 
			 A Logistics Information Technology SystemDelamination for DII/F February 2004 
			 A Defence Estates Regional Prime ContractingSouth West March 2004 
			 A Colchester Garrison June 2004 
			 A Joint Personnel Administration July 2004 
			 A Projects Allenby and Connaught August 2004 
			 B Project Armada February 2003 
			 B Defence Resource Management Programme (incorporating DRMS) May 2003 
			 B Woodbridge June 2003 
			 B Contractor Logistics (formerly Contractor Owned Deployed Operations (CONDO) August 2003 
			 B Project RD83 Rosyth Dockyard Decommissioning September 2004 
			 C Project EXTRACT May 2000 
			 C Human Resources Management System October 2002 
			 C Ministry of Defence PoliceProject CONTACT March 2003 
			 C Project SAPPHIRE June 2003 
			 C Defence E-Learning Delivery and Management Capability September 2003 
			 C Integration Authority/System Integration Architecture December 2003 
			 C Interim Alternate HQ January 2004 
			 C Future Pay Project October 2004 
			 A DLO BCP Defence Electronic Commerce ServiceShared Working Environment April 2004 
			
			  Equipment approvals for current post-initial gate/pre-main gate Cat A-C projects  
			 A FUTURE AIRCRAFT CARRIER (CVF) December 1998 
			 A WATCHKEEPER November 1999 
			 A AVTS December 2000 
			 A Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft December 2000 
			 A IFPA May 2001 
			 A PICASSO June 2001 
			 A FISTFuture Integrated Soldier Technology August 2001 
			 A ASTUTE Subsequent Procurement September 2001 
			 A Battlefield Light Utility Helicopter (BLUH) December 2001 
			 A Ground Based Air Defence Phase 1 February 2002 
			 A FALCON July 2002 
			 A Combined Aerial Target Service (CATS) September 2002 
			 A Surface Combatant Maritime Rotorcraft (SCMR) September 2002 
			 A SAR March 2003 
			 A MERLIN CSP May 2003 
			 A Advanced Jet Trainer August 2003 
			 A FUTURE RAPID EFFECT SYSTEM (FRES) April 2004 
			 B UKCEC Frigate and Destroyer programme May 2000 
			 B LIMAWS(G) March 2001 
			 B Joint Casualty Treatment Ship December 2001 
			 B WASP September 2002 
			 B JOUST July 2003 
			 B United Kingdom Military Flying Training System September 2003 
			 B Anti-Structures Munition April 2004 
			 B TIECHarrier GR9 June 2004 
			 B TIECTornado GR4 June 2004 
			 B JETTS July 2004 
			 C JACAMAR November 2000 
			 C CUTLASS April 2002 
			 C ANSON May 2002 
			 C Maritime Biological Detection System (MBDS) September 2002 
			 C Automated Software Adaptive Radar (ASAR) October 2002 
			 C LIMAWS(R) October 2002 
			 C MORTAL November 2002 
			 C Tactical Beyond Line of Sight December 2002 
			 C Dismounted Counter Mine Capability April 2003 
			 C ASUW Littoral Defensive Anti Surface Warfare July 2003 
			 C Secure Comms in Aircraft January 2004 
			 C LINESMAN April 2004 
			 C Light Equipment Transporter May 2004 
			 C TEMPORARY DEPLOYABLE ACCOMMODATION May 2004 
			 C Typhoon LDP May 2004 
			
			  Equipment approvals for current post-main gate/pre-lSD Cat A-C projects  
			 A Swiftsure and Trafalgar Class Update (Final Phase) January 1994 
			 A Sting Ray Life Extension and Capability Upgrade May 1995 
			 A Brimstone March 1996 
			 A NIMROD MRA4 July 1996 
			 A ASTUTE March 1997 
			 A Airborne Stand Off Radar (ASTOR) June 1999 
			 A A400M May 2000 
			 A BEYOND VISUAL RANGE AIR TO AIR MISSILE May 2000 
			 A T45 DESTROYER July 2000 
			 A Typhoon ASTA October 2000 
			 A Future Joint Combat Aircraft January 2001 
			 A SUPPORT VEHICLE November 2001 
			 A SKYNET 5 February 2002 
			 A Next Generation Light Anti-Armour Weapon May 2002 
			 A CIPComBAT, DBL Infrastructure, Platform EISA October 2002 
			 A Apache BOWMAN Connectivity March 2003 
			 A C Vehicle CapabilityPFI December 2003 
			 A M-TADS September 2004 
			 B Seawolf MLU May 1999 
			 B RNJTIDS STDL September 1999 
			 B Seawolf Block 2 February 2000 
			 B LANDING SHIP DOCK (AUXILIARY) October 2000 
			 B CORMORANT November 2000 
			 B Sonar 2087 DMS January 2001 
			 B TROJAN and TITAN January 2001 
			 B SSTD January 2001 
			 B Puma HUMS May 2001 
			 B Sea King HUMS May 2001 
			 B Lynx HUMS May 2001 
			 B BATTLE GROUP THERMAL IMAGING June 2001 
			 B Wheeled Tankers June 2001 
			 B Terrier July 2002 
			 B Light Forces Anti-Tank Guided Weapon January 2003 
			 B Defence HF Communications Service March 2003 
			 B Precision Guided Bomb June 2003 
			 B PANTHER Command and Liaison Vehicle (CLV) July 2003 
			 B GMLRS July 2003 
			 B SOOTHSAYER August 2003 
			 B Naval EHF/SHF Satellite Communications Terminals September 2003 
			 C Saturn for Lynx Mk8 January 1998 
			 C Ptarmigan Digital Gateway June 1998 
			 C SAWCS September 1998 
			 C SSNCESM Eddystone November 1999 
			 C Vanguard SSIPSignature May 2000 
			 C 4.5KW GEN SET May 2000 
			 C Lightweight Chemical Agent Detector(LCAD) December 2000 
			 C TSS for SP HVM February 2001 
			 C SIFF for HVM April 2001 
			 C FC BISA May 2002 
			 C FFCS November 2002 
			 C AH Air Manoeuvre CTS December 2002 
			 C CIS into CAST April 2003 
			 C SRS(A)929 8.33 KHz programme August 2003 
			 C CSIS Special Projects September 2003 
			 C TLAM Block IV Weapon System February 2004 
			 C General Service Respirator (GSR) October 2004

Electoral Registration

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions he has given to his Department to ensure all service personnel are included on the voters' register.

Ivor Caplin: The Ministry of Defence is working closely with the Electoral Commission to improve awareness in the Service Community of the options to register to vote. An internal information campaign will begin early next year to coincide with the publication of a Defence Council Instruction explaining those options.

E-mails

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is in relation to the storage and deletion of e-mails; and whether this policy has been reviewed in the past 12 months.

Ivor Caplin: The Ministry of Defence's policy on the storage and deletion of e-mails is that e-mails which need to be kept should be saved into departmental records systems. Those emails which do not need to be kept should be disposed of regularly to avoid overloading mailboxes. This policy has not changed in the last 12 months.

European Rapid Reaction Force

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on British military involvement in the European Rapid Reaction Force.

Adam Ingram: There is no standing European Rapid Reaction Force. What has sometimes been referred to as a European Rapid Reaction Force is in fact a catalogue of forces which member states could make available to the EU should they choose to participate in any particular EU-led operation. The United Kingdom currently declares to this catalogue up to 12,500 troops, 18 warships and 72 combat aircraft.
	However a pool of capability to respond very rapidly, within 1015 days, to escalating crises is being established by the EU Battlegroups initiative. Member states have committed a total of 13 national and multinational Battlegroups (which will involve some of the national capabilities declared to the catalogue). During the Initial Operating Capability period (200506), the EU will be able to deploy one Battlegroup at any one time. During the Full Operating Capability period (from 2007), the EU aims to be able to deploy two Battlegroups concurrently.
	The UK has committed one national Battlegroup and one multinational (with the Netherlands based on long-standing cooperation in the UK/Dutch Amphibious Force). We expect to hold one of these Battlegroups on standby for six months in any two-year period. The national Battlegroup will be on standby during the first six-month rotation (Jan-Jun 2005). The multinational Battlegroup will be available after 2007. To meet these commitments, UK troops will be drawn from the Joint Rapid Reaction Force as appropriate at the time.
	Any decision to commit UK troops and assets to any EU-led operation (including any EU Battlegroup operation) rests entirely with the Government and is made on a voluntary, case-by-case basis, as for NATO and UN operations. Moreover, an EU operation can only be launched with the unanimous consent of the 25 member states.

Flight ZD576

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether evidence relating to the crash of Flight ZD576 in June 1994 has been destroyed since the crash happened.

Adam Ingram: No evidence has been destroyed. The right hon. Member is aware that the wreckage of ZD576 has been retained in secure storage at RNAY Fleetlands; and that all documentation pertaining to the incident held by the central Secretariat is being retained in accordance with the commitment made to the House of Commons by the then Minister for the armed forces.

Future Aircraft Carriers

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what consultations have taken place between the Alliance to build the Future Aircraft Carriers in UK shipyards; when these consultations began; and what role was played in these consultations by the Department's commercial partners in the Alliance;
	(2)  whether his Department has placed restrictions on its commercial partners in the Alliance to build the Future Aircraft Carriers on discussing the project with UK shipyards.

Adam Ingram: During the competitive stages of the Assessment Phase (November 1999 to December 2002) separately both BAE Systems and Thales UK produced shipbuild strategies in consultation with United Kingdom shipyards as part of their proposals. Since January 2003, and the announcement of the Alliance approach to delivering the Future Aircraft Carriers (CVF), the companies have issued formal requests for information to UK shipyards in mid-2003 and early-2004. These have been supported by regular interactions between the companies and the shipyards. No restrictions have been placed on the commercial partners in these discussions provided the carriers are acquired in accordance with the defence industrial policy for Royal Navy warships to be built in UK shipyards.

Future Surface Combatant

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence following the decision to cancel the Future Surface Combatant; what plans he has to procure a variant of the Type 45 Destroyer; how many ships he expects to be involved; what he estimates the cost to be; and when he expects these vessels to enter service.

Adam Ingram: The Future Surface Combatant (FSC) programme has not been cancelled. However, the project is being reviewed together with all other military maritime programmes as part of the Maritime Coherence study, and a range of options is being considered. The project is still in its concept phase and no decision has yet been taken about the time scale for delivering the FSC capability, nor about the platform solution.

Future Surface Combatant

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there remains a requirement for the Future Surface Combatant.

Adam Ingram: The Future Surface Combatant (FSC) will be needed to replace the capability currently provided by the Type 22 and Type 23 Frigates as they progressively leave service from around the middle of the next decade. The FSC project is being reviewed together with all other military maritime programmes as part of the Maritime Coherence study, and a range of options is being considered. The project is still in its concept phase and no decision has yet been taken about the timescale for delivering the FSC capability, nor about the platform solution.

Gulf War Syndrome

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the report of the independent public inquiry into Gulf War Syndrome chaired by Lord Lloyd; and if he will make a statement.

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the findings of the Lord Lloyd Inquiry into Gulf War illnesses, with particular reference to his response to the recommendations.

Ivor Caplin: I refer my hon. Friend and the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 December 2004, Official Report, column 911W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Cunningham, South (Mr. Donohoe).

Gulf War Syndrome

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will accept (a) Gulf war syndrome and (b) acute vaccination reaction as being attributable to service when applications are made for a war pension.

Ivor Caplin: Under the terms of the War Pensions Scheme, claimed disablements are accepted in terms of the underlying medically recognised pathological process. Gulf War Syndrome is not medically recognised and we cannot therefore use the term.
	The fact that there is, at present, no proper basis for recognising Gulf war syndrome as a diagnostic label does not prevent payment of compensation for symptoms claimed under that term or more generally as Gulf illness. Any ill-defined symptoms that cannot be attributed to a specific recognised diagnosis are considered under the recognised diagnostic label signs, symptoms and ill-defined conditions, and awards will be made where they are found to be disabling and due to service.
	The term acute vaccine reaction is a discrete recognised diagnostic label and awards can be made under the War Pension Scheme where such a diagnosis is agreed and found to be due to service.

Hawk Jet

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Hawk 128 jets have been ordered in the first tranche of the procurement process.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 20 December 2004
	Subject to the satisfactory conclusion of the design and development phase, we plan to seek approval to place a production contract for an initial order of at least 20 aircraft. Final numbers will be known by the main investment decision point, planned for spring 2006.

Hawk Jet

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the export potential of the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer.

Adam Ingram: The Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer is a world-class aircraft with strong export potential. Export orders for Hawk variants have been won in a number of countries, and the overseas market for advanced jet trainers remains strong. The MoD's Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) is fully involved in supporting UK industry's efforts to achieve further sales.

Indonesia (Defence Sales)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  on what date his Department was informed of the decision by Alvis to use (a) PT Truba and (b) PTSK as agents in connection with the sale of Scorpion and Stormer vehicles to Indonesia;
	(2)  on what date his Department was informed of the decision by BAE Systems to use PTSK as its agent in connection with the sale of Hawk jets to Indonesia;
	(3)  on what date his Department was informed of the decision by Alvis Plc to conclude a consultancy agreement with Global Select;
	(4)  what discussions the Defence Export Services Organisation had with Alvis on commission payments in connection with the sale of Scorpion and Stormer vehicles to Indonesia;
	(5)  what services the UK Government provided on the 1995 contract for the supply of (a) Scorpion and (b) Stormer vehicles to Indonesia.

Adam Ingram: No record has been found relating to the use of agents, or the payment of commissions, in connection with the sale to Indonesia by Alvis plc of Scorpion and Stormer vehicles, or by BAE Systems of the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer. No information has been traced regarding Alvis concluding a consultancy agreement. Advice given at that time by the Defence Export Services Organisation to support the companies' bids to supply equipment to Indonesia, comprised the normal business support, including advice on marketing, given to any company seeking to undertake legitimate defence exports.

Iraq

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list NATO countries which have (a) agreed to train security forces in Iraq and (b) committed troops and personnel to conduct training; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: At the ministerial meeting in Brussels on 9 December, Foreign Ministers of the 26 NATO countries agreed to move ahead with expanding NATO's role in Iraq. 23 NATO countries have agreed to provide support to the NATO Training Mission-Iraq by providing personnel and equipment to train the Iraqi Security Forces in and outside Iraq. Of these23, fifteen countries have agreed to deploy forces within Iraq. These are Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy, in respect of the departmental minute dated 15 December concerning the gifting of military equipment to the Iraqi Interim Government, to withdraw the gift of (a) the 438 underslung grenade launchers for AK47s, (b) 18,400 UGL rounds, (c) 850,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition and (d) 5,666 9mm pistols.

Geoff Hoon: I do not intend to withdraw the gifting of underslung grenade launchers, ammunition or pistols to the Iraqi Interim Government. The UK Government are committed to helping the Iraqi police, National Guard and Department of Border Enforcement to provide the protection and security that the Iraqi people deserve. The gifting of this equipment is a key element in achieving this, which in turn will reduce the burden on our own troops and eventually facilitate our withdrawal from Iraq.

Nuclear Tests Veterans

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to offer a substantive response to Letters before Action received from legal representatives acting on behalf of members of the British Nuclear Tests Veterans' Association.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 20 December 2004
	A Letter of Claim, as opposed to a Letter Before Action, was sent to the Ministry of Defence on 15 November 2004, but never received. However, solicitors acting for the British Nuclear Test Veterans have now provided a copy, which will be replied to within the three months allowed under the Civil Procedure Rules or at a date agreed between the parties.

Operative Activities (Expenditure)

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the net cash outflow from operating activities in financial year 2003/04 was by the (a) Personnel Director, (b) Pay and Personnel Agency, (c) Defence Vetting Agency, (d) Defence Export Services Organisation, (e) Finance Director, (f) Defence Analytical Services Agency, (g) Defence Bills Agency, (h) Chief Constable Ministry of Defence Police and (i) Chief Scientific Adviser;
	(2)  what the net cash outflow from operating activities in financial year 2003/04 was by the (a) Defence Academy, (b) Defence Estates, (c) Deputy Chief Defence Staff (Commitments), (d) Director Special Forces, (e) Defence Geographic and Imaging Intelligence Agency, (f) Veterans Agency, (g) Deputy Chief Defence Staff (Personnel), (h) Defence Dental Agency and (i) Defence Housing Executive management groups;
	(3)  what the net cash outflow from operating activities in financial year 2003/04 was by the (a) Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency, (b) Policy Director, (c) Deputy Chief Defence Staff (Equipment Capability), (d) Chief of Defence Intelligence, (e) Defence Intelligence and Security Centre, (f) Defence Medical Services Department and (g) Defence Medical Education and Training Agency management groups;
	(4)  what the net cash outflow from operating activities in financial year 200304 was by the (a) Internal Costs, (b) Programme Account and (c) Nuclear management groups;
	(5)  what the net cash outflow from operating activities in financial year 200304 was by the (a) Deputy Chief of Defence Logistics, (b) Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency, (c) Defence Supply Chain HQ, (d) Defence Storage and Distribution Agency and (e) British Forces Post Office management groups;
	(6)  what the net cash outflow from operating activities in financial year 2003/04 was by the (a) Flag Officer Training and Recruiting, (b) HQ and (c) Naval Secretary management groups;
	(7)  what the net cash outflow from operating activities in financial year 200304 was by the (a) Army Personnel Centre, (b) Army Training and Recruiting Agency, (c) Service Children's Education and (d) Primary Health Care management groups;
	(8)  what the net cash outflow from operating activities in financial year 2003/04 was by the (a) Adjutant General, (b) Army Programme, (c) General Staff, (d) Queen Victoria School and (e) Duke of York Royal Military School management groups;
	(9)  what the net cash outflow from operating activities in financial year 2003/04 was by the (a) Personnel Management Agency, (b) Core HQ and (c) Training Group Defence Agency management groups;
	(10)  what the net cash outflow from operating activities in financial year 2003/04 was by the (a) Fleet, (b) General Officer Commanding (Northern Ireland), (c) Command Field Army, (d) Joint Helicopter Command, (e) Land Support and (f) Command Regional Forces management groups;
	(11)  what the net cash outflow from operating activities in financial year 2003/04 was by the (a) 1 Group, (b) 2 Group, (c) 3 Group and (d) Deputy Commander-in-Chief management groups;
	(12)  what the net cash outflow from operating activities in financial year 2003/04 was by the (a) Defence Fuels Group, (b) Defence Communication Services Agency, (c) DG Equipment Support (Land), (d) DG Equipment Support (Air) and (e) Defence Transport and Movements Agency management groups.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Overseas Travel

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many overseas trips, and at what total cost, have been made by his Department in each year since 1997; and what the costs of (a) flights, (b) internal travel, (c) hotel accommodation and (d) subsistence were of each trip.

Ivor Caplin: The information requested is not held and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Therefore, the terms of Exemption 9 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information apply.

Porton Down

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what preparations are being made to provide information after 1 January 2005 under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to former service personnel about experiments in which they took part at the chemical defence establishment, Porton Down.

Ivor Caplin: A system is in place to deal specifically with inquiries relating to the Porton Down Service Volunteer Programme. Therefore, no extra preparations for the release of information under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act are necessary.

Porton Down

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department will pay compensation to the family of Ronald Maddison who died at the chemical defence establishment, Porton Down; and if his Department will issue an apology to the family.

Ivor Caplin: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement I made today.

Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on the future of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: My hon. Friend the Member for Rochdale (Mrs. Fitzsimons) met my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence, (Mr. Hoon) on 6 December to lobby on behalf of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Additionally, in recent months the Secretary of State has received a series of letters from other hon. Members related to the future of this Regiment.
	I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made to the House on 16 December 2004, Official Report, column 1195, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence about the future structure of the Army.

Satanism

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the compatibility of Satanism with the military ethos; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: No assessment has been made of the compatibility of satanism with the military ethos. The beliefs of armed forces personnel are regarded as private.

Territorial Army

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the establishment of the Territorial Army have (a) received statutory notice of compulsory mobilisation and (b) been accepted into mobilised service for operations overseas since 1998, broken down by cap badge.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 16 December 2004
	The information requested is not held by cap badge and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. In respect of Territorial Army (TA) personnel as a whole, since 1998, 18,979 statutory notices of compulsory mobilization have been issued and there have been 14,813 acceptances into mobilized service in support of operations overseas. This represents approximately 45 per cent. and 35 per cent. respectively of the current TA establishment of 41, 820. However, it should be borne in mind that a small number of personnel have been accepted into mobilized service on more than one occasion during the period.

Theft

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civil servants from his Department have (a) faced disciplinary proceedings as a result of allegations of theft, (b) been charged with theft and (c) been dismissed following theft allegations in each year since 1997.

Ivor Caplin: The requested information, as held centrally by the Ministry of Defence on civil servants for the full years 19972003, is summarised in the following table:
	
		
			  Faced proceedings as a result of allegations of theft Charged with theft Dismissed following theft allegations 
		
		
			 1997 18 18 12 
			 1998 10 10 9 
			 1999 7 7 3 
			 2000 5 5 4 
			 2001 1 1 1 
			 2002 4 4 2 
			 2003 2 2 0 
		
	
	These data all relate to internal MOD proceedings for theft under the definition used in the MOD Civilian Personnel Manuals.

Travel Costs

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the Department spent on first class travel in each year since 1997.

Ivor Caplin: The information requested is not held and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Therefore, the terms of Exemption 9 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information apply.

Troop Deployment (Northern Ireland)

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many troops are stationed in Northern Ireland.

Adam Ingram: The number of armed forces personnel (Army, Navy and RAF), under the command of the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland (GOC NI), stationed in Northern Ireland at 30 November 2004 is 11,000.
	The GOC NI also has under his command troops that are rear based in Great Britain that can be called forward to the Province as and when required. In addition other troops can be made available to the GOC NI from Land Command if required for example during the marching season.

Watchkeeper Vehicle

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of the Watchkeeper unmanned aerial vehicle in the development of network-enabled capability.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 20 December 2004
	A description of Network Enabled Capability, and Watchkeeper's role in it, is set out on pages 5 and 6 of Delivering Security in a Changing World(Future Capabilities (Cm 6269). The Watchkeeper capability will provide UK commanders with accurate, timely and high quality information, including imagery. Watchkeeper will be fully integrated into the wider command and control digitised network, passing data quickly to those who need it.

Young Military Personnel

Paul Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people aged under 18 years have died while on service and in training in each of the armed forces in the last 10 years; and if he will list the causes of death in each case.

Ivor Caplin: 28 regular service personnel under the age of 18 have died between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 2003. Of these six were trained service personnel and 22 were untrained service personnel. A breakdown in the causes of these deaths by service is provided at tables A and B.
	
		Table A: Deaths in trained regular service personnelunder 18 years of age 1994 to 2003
		
			 Cause of death Naval services Army RAF Total 
		
		
			 Diseases-related conditions 
			  
			 Injury or poisoning-related conditions 
			 On-duty 
			 Falls 1   1 
			  
			 Off-duty 
			 Poisoning 1 1  2 
			 Road traffic accident 1 1  2 
			  
			 Unknown on/off-duty 
			 Suicide/open verdict death(19)  1  1 
			  
			 All trained deaths 3 3 0 6 
		
	
	
		Table B: Deaths in untrained regular service personnelunder 18 years of age, 1994 to 2003
		
			 Cause of death Naval services Army RAF Total 
		
		
			 Diseases-related conditions 
			 Cancer  1  1 
			 Disease of the circulatory system  2  2 
			  
			 Injury or poisoning-related conditions 
			 On-Duty 
			 Falls  1  1 
			 Guns shot wound(20) 1 1  2 
			 Road traffic accident  1  1 
			 Suicide/open verdict death(19)  2  2 
			  
			 Off-duty 
			 Drowning or submersion 1 1  2 
			 Falls  1  1 
			 Road traffic accident  6 1 7 
			  
			 Unknown on/off-Duty 
			 Suicide/open verdict death(19)  1  1 
			  
			 Information on cause not yet known  2  2 
			  
			 All untrained deaths 2 19 1 22 
		
	
	(19) Suicide and open verdict deaths recorded by a coroner (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or the Procurator Fiscal (Scotland).
	(20) Includes one Army death awaiting a coroner verdict.

TREASURY

Aimee Tombs

Peter Luff: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the repayment of tax credit due to Aimee Tombs whose national insurance number has been communicated to his Department will be made.

Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue wrote to the hon. Member about this on 9 December 2004.

Back-to-work Bonuses

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) targets he has set and (b) estimates he has made for the number of (i) lone parents and (ii) those on incapacity benefits who may return to work as a result of back to work bonuses being extended for a year, as announced in the pre-Budget report.

Stephen Timms: There are no targets set, or current estimates for, the number of (i) lone parents or (ii) those on incapacity benefits who may return to work as a result of back to work bonuses being extended for a year, as announced in the pre-Budget report.

Back-to-work Bonuses

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how may people in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland he estimates will qualify for the extension of back to work bonuses for a year, as announced in the pre-Budget report.

Stephen Timms: The In-Work Credit, a work incentive payment being piloted for lone parents, is not currently available in the constituency of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.
	Tees Valley is one of the 14 Jobcentre Plus Districts which will be covered by the extension of the Pathways to Work pilots announced in the 2004 PBR. Pathways to Work pilots offer a range of additional support for incapacity benefits recipients including a 52-week Return to Work Credit. In Tees Valley there were around 12,000 new/repeat IB starts in the year to the end of May 2004 (the latest month for which we have complete benefits data), and approximately 41,000 existing recipients, all of whom can access the RTWC.

Back-to-work Bonuses

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects on Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituents of the pre-Budget announcements on (a) additional expenditure on children and childcare and (b) the 3,500 Sure Start child centres to be established by 2010.

Stephen Timms: Choice for parents, the best start for children: a 10 year strategy for childcare published alongside the pre-Budget report this year announced additional expenditure of 600 million by 200708 to support children and parents. This will benefit families right across the country. The Sure Start Unit will work, in conjunction with stakeholders, to determine where and how the details of the pre-Budget report announcements will be implemented.

Child Tax Credit

Tom Cox: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what his estimate is of the number of families living in the London Borough of Wandsworth who are entitled to the child tax credit; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many families living in the London Borough of Wandsworth are in receipt of the working tax credit; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The numbers in receipt of tax credits are shown in Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics, Geographical Analyses January 2004. This appears on the Inland Revenue web site, at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/menu.htm. Figures for December 2004 will be published on 23 December.
	No estimates are available of the number of families in Wandsworth eligible for these tax credits.

Conferences

George Osborne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many conferences were (a) attended by officials from his Department, (b) cancelled by and (c) facilitated by his Department in each year since 1997; and what the (i) cost to the Department and (ii) location was in each case.

Stephen Timms: The information is not held in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Customs and Excise

George Osborne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) Customs and Excise officers and (b) operational sniffer dogs there have been in the UK in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: (a) The numbers of staff employed in civil service departments and agencies since 1997, including HM Customs and Excise, are available on the Cabinet Office's Civil Service Statistics website at http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/manaqement information/statistical information/statistics/index.asp and in the annual editions of Civil Service Statistics'.
	(b) The following number of detector dogs were in post each year as follows.
	
		
			  Number of dogs 
		
		
			 31 March 1998 92 
			 31 March 2002 54 
			 31 March 2003 51 
			 31 March 2004 54 
			 10 December 2004 (21)59 
		
	
	(21) Plus a further five in training school.

Departmental Credit Cards

George Osborne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many credit cards for official expenditure are held by his Department.

Stephen Timms: As at our last billing date of November the Treasury had 336 credit cards for official expenditure. 196 of these accounts are for paying for low value goods and services in HM Treasury and the remaining 140 are used for travel and subsistence expenses incurred while on official business.

Departmental Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the total external spending by his Department on Private Finance Initiative consultants in each of the last two years was; how many full-time equivalent consultants were employed over this period; how many billed consultancy days there were per year; what the implied average cost of each PFI consultant was; how many consultancy firms were used by his Department over this period; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the total external spending by his Department was on public private partnership (PPP) consultants in each of the last two years; how many full-time equivalent consultants were employed over this period; how many billed consultancy days there were per year; what the implied average cost of each PPP consultant was; how many consultancy firms were used by his Department over this period; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: Information is provided below regarding the total external spending by the Chancellor's departments on PFI/PPP consultants for the last two years. It also identifies the number of PFI/PPP consultancy firms that have been used over the same period. In those instances in which this information is not provided it is because data on PFI/PPP consultancy cannot be readily disaggregated from that of other consultancy expenditure, and to do so would involve disproportionate cost.
	Provision of the information requested regarding the number of full-time equivalent consultants employed, number of billed consultancy days, and the implied average cost of each PFI/PPP consultant has not been provided in most cases as to do so would entail a disproportionate cost.
	HM Treasury
	The total spending on external PFI consultants in 200203 is 4.059 million and in 200304 is 3.932 million. The figures provided include both consultancy on PFI projects and on PFI policy. The Treasury has used three consultancy firms over this period.
	Inland Revenue
	Inland Revenue expenditure on external PFI consultancy amounts to a total of 1.142 million for the financial years 200203 and 200304. This includes the STEPS PFI contract entered into jointly by the Inland Revenue, HM Customs and Excise, and the Valuation Office Agency. The Inland Revenue used 19 consultancy firms over this period.
	Inland Revenue spend on PPP Consultancy for 200203 was 62,600 excluding VAT. 0.2 full-time equivalent consultants were employed over this period and a total of 45.3 consultancy days billed. The implied average cost was 1,382 per day excluding VAT and two consultancy firms were used over this period. PPP consultancy spend for 200304 was 69,800 excluding VAT. 0.2 full-time equivalent consultants were employed over this period and a total of 42.2 consultancy days billed. The implied average cost was 1,654 per day excluding VAT and two consultancy firms were used.
	HM Customs and Excise
	HM Customs and Excise does not separately identify PFI/PPP consultancy from other consultancy expenditure. Identifiable consultancy spend within PFI projects amounted to 2.777 million over the last two financial years. This figure includes consultancy that has been carried out within a PFI project, but that has not necessarily been PFI consultancy. Disaggregating the two elements would incur disproportionate cost. HM Customs and Excise have used 13 consultancy firms within their PFI projects over this period.
	Figures for the STEPS PFI contract are reported in the Inland Revenue figures.

Departmental Expenditure

George Osborne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent by his Department on (a) indoor bought plants, (b) indoor hired plants, (c) outdoor bought plants and (d) outdoor hired plants in each year since 1997.

Stephen Timms: The information is not held in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Staff

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each Department the numbers of (a) consultants and (b) temporary staff engaged; and the number of full-time civil servants at (i) 31 March and (ii) 30 September.

Stephen Timms: Data concerning civil service numbers in general has been published in Civil Service Statistics. The Current information for 2004 can also be found online at: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/index.asp. Specific data concerning the number of consultants and temporary staff are not collected centrally, and are a matter for each Department.

Freedom of Information

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in his Department were employed to deal with Freedom of Information Act 2000 issues in (a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2003 and (d) 2004; and how many staff are budgeted to deal with Freedom of Information Act 2000 issues in (i) 2005 and (ii) 2006.

Stephen Timms: The number of staff directly involved in implementing and applying Freedom of Information legislation in HM Treasury has been:
	2001: 1 person
	2002: 2 people
	2003: 1 person
	2004: 2 people
	and is expected to be:
	2005: 3 people
	2006: 3 people
	From 1 January 2005, it is potentially part of every civil servant's role to respond to Freedom of Information requests.

Fuel Costs

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will increase the Inland Revenue's approved mileage rates to take into account rising fuel costs.

John Healey: The Government's statutory, tax free approved mileage rates for cars and motor cycles were determined by considering many factors including: fuel, fuel efficiency, depreciation, repair, maintenance costs, insurance and vehicle excise duty across the spectrum of all makes and models. Fuel prices constitute only one element taken into account in setting the rates, which were set to encourage the use of smaller, more environmentally friendly cars.

Hypothecated Taxation

Sue Doughty: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on Government policy towards hypothecation of taxes; and if he will list all current cases of hypothecated taxation.

Dawn Primarolo: All changes to taxation are set out in the relevant Financial Statement and Budget Reports, which are available in the Library of the House. In some cases, where the Government is raising revenue for a specific purpose, it is appropriate to reinforce the purpose of the tax measure by linking it to the spending which it finances.

Illegal Meat Imports

Owen Paterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what funding was allocated to Customs and Excise in (a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002, (d) 2003 and (e) 2004; and how much is budgeted for (i) 2005 and (ii) 2006 for the detection of illegal meat imports;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of the (a) time and (b) resources available to Customs and Excise which is spent on the detection of illegal meat imports.

Dawn Primarolo: No specific funding was allocated prior to April 2003 when Customs took over enforcement responsibility for illegal imports of products of animal origin from countries outside the European Union. Customs have been allocated 4 million; 7 million and 7 million respectively over the three financial years 200304 to 200506 and this represents the effort expended by Customs.

Illegal Meat Imports

Owen Paterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals have been prosecuted for illegally importing meat in (a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002, (d) 2003 and (e) January to November 2004.

Dawn Primarolo: Since HM Customs and Excise assumed responsibility for enforcement responsibility for illegal imports of products of animal origin in April 2003 four people have been prosecuted of smuggling offences under the Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (England) Regulations 2003 and the Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (England) Regulations 2004. All of these prosecutions, which took place between January and November 2004, resulted in convictions.
	Information on prosecutions by agencies other than Customs is not held centrally.

Illegal Meat Imports

Owen Paterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what steps have been taken to identify new technology to detect illegal meat imports;
	(2)  what funds were allocated to identifying new technology to detect illegal meat imports in (a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002, (d) 2003 and (e) 2004; and how much is budgeted for this purpose for (i) 2005 and (ii) 2006;
	(3)  what assessment his Department has made of trials of advanced remote detection systems at airports in detecting illegal meats;
	(4)  what plans he has to carry out field trials of advanced remote detection systems on air routes which are known to be used by smugglers of illegal meat.

Dawn Primarolo: Customs already uses existing x-ray technology for illegal meat when appropriate and continually monitors the market place for new technology that could further assist in its law enforcement role. Customs has been involved in a number of trials of equipment designed to aid the detection of illegal imports and smuggled goods of all kinds.
	One of those trials involved use of advanced remote detection systems at overseas airports. Customs decided for a number of reasons not to continue with the trials and that it was more practical to install x-ray equipment at specific UK ports and airports to help detect illicit goods including illegal meat. Customs has no plans for further field trials involving advanced remote detection systems.
	Customs' funding is not specifically allocated to identification of new technology aimed at the detection of illegal meat imports.

Illegal Meat Imports

Owen Paterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many dogs were employed in detecting illegal meat imports in (a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002, (d) 2003 and (e) the months January to November 2004; and how many will be employed in (i) 2005 and (ii) 2006.

Dawn Primarolo: The first two meat detector dogs began operations in September 2002 on a trial basis. Two more meat detector dogs began operations in January 2004 with a further two in March 2004.
	Subject to the results of the current training course, there will be 10 meat detector dogs in operational service during February 2005.
	Customs regularly reviews the numbers of meat detector dogs.

Illegal Meat Imports

Owen Paterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the quantity of meat illegally imported by sea to UK sea ports in (a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002, (d) 2003 and (e) January to November 2004;
	(2)  what his estimate is of the quantity of illegal meat imported by air to UK airports (a) in each calendar year between 2000 and 2003 and (b) between January and November 2004.

Dawn Primarolo: Under the Government's action plans to tackle illegal meat imports, the Veterinary Laboratories Agency were commissioned to produce risk assessments.
	These were published on 6 March 2003 (Risk Assessment for the Import of Meat and Meat Products Contaminated with Foot and Mouth Disease Virus into Great Britain and the Subsequent Exposure of GB Livestock) and 19 July 2004 (Risk Assessment of the Import of Contaminated Meat and Meat Products into Great Britain and the Subsequent Exposure of GB Livestock).
	Copies of both were placed in the House Libraries.

Illegal Meat Imports

Owen Paterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the effectiveness of Customs and Excise's detection of illegal meat is measured; and by whom.

Dawn Primarolo: Customs' role is to deter and detect illegal imports of meat and other products of animal origin imported from outside the European Union and thereby reduce the risk of disease from such imports. The strategy delivers this aim through:
	increasing passengers' awareness of the rules and regulations, encouraging the voluntary surrender of any illegal meat on arrival and discouraging the public from embarking on their journey to the UK with illegal meat in their possession;
	anti-smuggling checks to detect illegal imports on the basis of risk assessment and intelligence;
	seizing imports surrendered by passengers in the Red Channel or detected in the possession of passengers in the Green Channel;
	Refocus our efforts in response to diseases notifications from Defra and the Food Standards Agency.
	In the absence of detailed outcomes that Customs believe are the most effective ways of measuring their performance, Customs and Defra have identified a number of areas such as public awareness surveys and benchmarking that could serve as useful performance indicators.
	At this early stage, most emphasis is placed on the number of seizures, which are monitored by Customs and Defra and overseen by Departmental Ministers and in progress reports to the Cabinet Committee on illegal imports. However, Customs and Defra recognise the limitations of using such output data in determining overall impact.

Illegal Meat Imports

Owen Paterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what research into available technology for improving the detection of diseased meat at airports his Department has (a) conducted and (b) evaluated;
	(2)  how illegal meat imports seized by Customs and Excise are disposed of.

Dawn Primarolo: With the exception of those commercial consignments seized by Customs that can be restored on condition that they are re-exported in compliance with Regulation 24 of the Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (England) Regulations 2004, all illegal meat seized by Customs is sealed and transported under approved conditions to an approved incinerator for disposal without delay. As the Government have concluded that all such seizures should be treated as a potential animal or human health risk. Customs have not conducted or evaluated any studies into detection technology specifically related to diseased meat.

Inland Revenue

Roger Gale: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of Inland Revenue mail is outsourced to a Swedish postal company; and what the average annual value of that contract is.

Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue has a contract with the carrier, Lynx, who subcontract to Royal Mail, to carry international mail overseas. The value of this contract is approximately 900,000 per annum. It is currently being re-tendered and a new contract is due to be awarded in February 2005.
	Mail is collected by Lynx and consolidated (with items from other public and private sector organisations) to maximise volumes and secure competitive prices. It is then despatched by Royal Mail from its Heathrow sorting centre. When the mail arrives in the country of destination it is handled by the relevant national postal authority. From 1 October 2004, under the terms of the current contract, the Revenue has allowed Lynx to monitor the postal market and select the mail issuing authority offering the most economically advantageous delivery route and competitive pricing. This means that during October, for example, 104,217 items of IR international mail were despatched directly by Sweden Post, bearing their indicia, but were still delivered by the relevant national postal authority. Similarly, 24,117 items were sent by Royal Mail. The savings secured by use of Sweden Post are around 5,700. During the same period, 8,731,425 items of IR post (both domestic and international) were sent by Royal Mail. The percentage despatched by Sweden Post is therefore 1.2 per cent.

Inland Revenue

Anne Begg: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance is issued to Inland Revenue decision-makers on how to interpret the tests for non-recovery in Code of Practice 26 cases; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance.

Dawn Primarolo: Guidance for staff is contained in the tax credits manual. The Inland Revenue plan to publish the manual on the Department's website early in the New Year (and a copy will also be placed in the Library of the House at that time).

Isle of Wight

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of migration (a) to and (b) from the Isle of Wight was in the most recent two five-year periods for which information is available, broken down by (i) age, (ii) qualification level and (iii) socio-economic status.

Stephen Timms: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Andrew Turner, dated 21 December 2004
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your question on the level of migration to and from the Isle of Wight in the most recent two five-year periods for which information is-available broken down by (a) age, (b) qualification level and (c) socio-economic status.
	Migration to and from the Isle of Wight is the sum of migration to and from the rest of the UK (internal migration), and migration to and from areas outside the UK (international migration). Internal migration estimates are available for the Isle of Wight for the two most recent five-year periods. Estimates of international migration are not sufficiently robust for release.
	Estimates of Total International Migration are compiled from survey and administrative sources. The low sample sizes in the main source, the International Passenger Survey (IPS), mean that it is not possible to provide reliable estimates of international migration to and from the Isle of Wight for either of the most recent five-year periods. For the ten-year period from 1994 to 2003, the IPS estimates that the Isle of Wight received a total of approximately 4,000 international migrants and a slightly smaller number of international migrants departed. However, these figures should be treated with caution because the sampling errors for these estimates are sufficiently large that the net effect of international migration over this period could have been a small net inflow or a small net outflow.
	The attached two tables show the number of internal migrant moves to and from the Isle of Wight from other areas of the UK for the years 19941998 and 19992003. The tables are broken down by quinary age groups and sex. Details of qualification level and socio-economic status are not collected and are not, therefore, available.
	These estimates of internal migration are derived from the National Health Service Central Register (NHSCR). The NHSCR is notified when a patient in England and Wales transfers to a new NHS doctor in a different former Health Authority, or Health Board in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
	
		Table 1: Movements to and from the Isle of Wight and the rest of the UK during the period 199498 by quinary age group
		
			  Persons 
			 Age Inflow Outflow Balance 
		
		
			 All ages 24,589 18,743 5,846 
			 04 1,785 1,147 638 
			 59 1,641 951 690 
			 1014 1,338 792 546 
			 1519 1,507 3,012 -1,505 
			 2024 2,893 2,980 -87 
			 2529 2,169 2,106 63 
			 3034 2,001 1,534 467 
			 3539 1,660 1,035 625 
			 4044 1,409 828 581 
			 4549 1,379 827 552 
			 5054 1,458 671 787 
			 5559 1,269 501 768 
			 6064 1,252 496 756 
			 6569 997 475 522 
			 7074 690 434 256 
			 75+ 1,141 954 187 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Movements to and from the Isle of Wight and the rest of the UK during the period 19992003: by quinary age group
		
			  Persons 
			 Age Inflow Outflow Balance 
		
		
			 All ages 27,545 19,661 7,884 
			 04 1,922 1,084 838 
			 59 1,796 945 851 
			 1014 1,534 919 615 
			 1519 1,606 3,125 -1,519 
			 2024 2,843 2,757 86 
			 2529 2,178 1,948 230 
			 3034 2,400 1,642 758 
			 3539 2,262 1,214 1,048 
			 4044 1,788 996 792 
			 4549 1,514 807 707 
			 5054 1,666 863 803 
			 5559 1,795 725 1,070 
			 6064 1,452 662 790 
			 6569 977 538 439 
			 7074 607 479 128 
			 75+ 1,205 957 248

Low-income Households

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in the Coventry area are living in low-income households; and how his Department defines a low-income household.

Chris Pond: I have been asked to reply.
	Poverty is about more than low income, it also impacts on the way people live-their health, housing and the quality of their environment. The sixth annual Opportunity for all report (Cm 6239) sets out the Government's strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion and presents information on the indicators used to measure progress against this strategy. In December 2003, we published Measuring child poverty which outlines the Government's new measure of child poverty which will be used from 200405. Both of these documents are in the Library.
	Data for the number of families living in low income households is not available below regional level. Other information regarding low income is available in Households Below Average Income 199495 to 200203, a copy of which is in the Library. This publication reports on a range of absolute and relative low-income counts, including the most commonly used threshold of below 60 per cent. of contemporary median income, adjusted for household size.

MPs' Tax Credit Hotline

Peter Luff: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what training is provided to staff on the MPs' Tax Credit hotline.

Dawn Primarolo: All staff on the Tax Credits MPs' hotline staff receive:
	tax credits technical training
	additional training for planned tax credits system releases
	telephone techniques training.
	In addition, off-line technical specialists are available to support staff on the hotline.

Pre-Budget Report

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost was of producing the summary leaflet for the pre-Budget report; what the costs were of distributing it; and if he will list the locations to which it has been circulated for distribution.

Stephen Timms: The total printing cost for the 2004 pre-Budget report summary leaflets was around 55,000. The total distribution cost was around 85,000. All costs have been met from within the Treasury's departmental expenditure limits. Copies of the 2004 pre-Budget report leaflet were distributed to around 30,000 addresses, including individuals and public organisations such as libraries, post offices, GP's surgeries, schools and universities.

Private Finance Initiative

David Taylor: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment has been made of the tendering process for private finance initiative contracts.

Paul Boateng: The tendering process for private finance initiative contracts follows EU procurement rules. Supplemental to this, the Treasury has issued a third updated version of guidance on standard contracts, Standardisation of PFI Contracts: Version 3 (SoPCS) in April 2004, and detailed guidance outlining how procuring authorities should ensure value for money throughout the procurement process in August 2004.

Tax Credits

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the estimated 34 to 49 million in overpayments for tax credits in 200304, referred to in the Inland Revenue Annual Report and Accounts 200304, has been successfully recovered; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 20 December 2004
	For claimants still receiving tax credits, recovery is generally an automatic process, by deduction from the ongoing award. The amount recovered from a family by any date will depend on the amount and frequency of their payments and is not continuously monitored. Statistics on overpayments will be published in Spring 2005.

Tax Credits

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit computer records are awaiting reconciliation of payments made against payments authorised in (a) 200304 and (b) the current tax year; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 21 December 2004
	For 200304,1 refer my right hon. Friend to paragraph 2.17 of the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General attached to the Inland Revenue Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2004.
	For 200405, a new daily reconciliation was successfully implemented by August 2004. Reconciliation for this year is planned for completion by the end of April 2005.

Tax Credits

Anne Begg: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how long on average it took the Inland Revenue to respond to a request not to recover a tax credit overpayment (a) as a first tier complaint and (b) as a second tier complaint in the last period for which information is available.

Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue aims to deal with letters of complaint from Members of Parliament and members of the public promptly. It aims to deal with 80 per cent. of letters within 15 working days. The Tax Credit Office is on course to achieve this for 200405. They do not keep separate figures for complaints involving a disputed overpayment.

Tax Credits

Anne Begg: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in cases where a tax credit overpayment has not been written off, the Inland Revenue writes to the claimant and invites them to make representations as to whether the overpayment should be written off under the tests set out in Code of Practice 26.

Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue sends customers a decision notice whenever it makes or amends a tax credit award. The notes accompanying the notice refer customers to the Department's Code of Practice 26, What happens if we have paid you too much tax credit?, which explains its approach to recovering overpayments, including the circumstances in which it will write them off.
	Often where there is a tax credit overpayment this is because of a change in the customer's income or circumstances which was not notified immediately to the Inland Revenue. It would not be appropriate to invite customers to make representations for their overpayment to be written off in these circumstances.

Working Tax Credit

Brian Iddon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of working tax credit cases have been overpaid since 1 April.

Dawn Primarolo: Payments made since 6 April 2004 are provisional and any overpayments of 200405 awards will not be identified until those awards are finalised after April 2005.

Working Time Regulations

Graham Brady: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officials working in ministerial private offices in the Department have worked more than a 48-hour week at any time in the last 12 months for which figures are available; how many of those had signed a waiver under working time regulations; and what percentage these figures represented of the total in each case.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 13 December 2004
	Departmental policies take full account of the Working Time Regulations and this is reflected in the work-life balance statement on our public website (www.hm-treasury.gov.uk). The Treasury has rigorous procedures for recording hours worked by staff. 19 officials working in ministerial private offices recorded working in excess of 48-hours in at least one weekly period in the last 12 months, this represents 51 per cent. of officials working in ministerial private offices.
	The Working Time Regulations provide workers with the protection of a limit of an average of 48 hours a week working time. This is not an absolute cap of 48 hours in any one week. This average is normally calculated over a 17-week reference period, although this can be longer in certain situations (26 weeks) and can be extended by agreement (up to 52 weeks). Workers may choose to work more than 48 hours per week over this reference period by signing an opt-out agreement, but employers cannot force a worker to sign an opt-out, and workers cannot be subjected to detriment for refusing to sign an opt-out.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on economic restructuring in Afghanistan.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: Since the end of conflict in 2001, the Government of Afghanistan has achieved important progress on economic and structural reforms. It has made a concerted effort in strengthening strategic planning and policy implementation around the national budget process, which is currently on its third cycle. It has embarked on a programme to rebuild fiscal functions of the state, including strengthening of domestic revenue policy and administration. A new currency (the Afghani) was introduced soon after the end of conflict, which the Government have managed well both in terms of the logistical challenges of replacing banknotes and economic challenges of. maintaining financial stability.
	The Government have also taken steps to promote private sector development. A draft private investment law is expected to be promulgated shortly, a legal framework for extractive industries is being established and state owned enterprises are being restructured and/or privatised. In addition commercial banking legislation has been adopted and the regulatory framework for the financial sector strengthened.
	These are all important achievements in establishing an enabling environment and strengthening economic management for growth and poverty reduction, but there are important challenges ahead, not least the maintenance of security and political stability across the country to enable a strengthened relationship between central and provincial government.
	In addition there are challenges in terms of strengthening human and institutional capacity to implement economic and structural reforms. The UK Government are playing a significant role in this area through provision of technical assistance with three year-projects to rehabilitate the Customs, Revenue and Budget departments within the Ministry of Finance. These include support for departmental restructuring and transfer of skills and capacity building in human resources, training, ethics and policymaking. DFID complements this with financial support to the Afghanistan Budget managed by the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund in order to encourage a gradual move away from dependence on external aid as the economy picks up and capacity increases for raising domestic revenue.

Aid Delivery

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what training his Department has provided to partner country staff regarding aid delivery via poverty reduction budget support in the last year.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: DFID works with other donors to provide training and support to partner country staff at all stages of the Poverty Reduction Budget Support (PRBS) cycle (planning, implementation, monitoring and review). As PRBS relies on partner government public financial management systems, training is focussed particularly on these systems.
	Where countries are considering new programmes of PRBS, DFID will provide partner country staff with examples of international best practice and discuss alternative forms of aid delivery. As PRBS proposals are prepared, we have detailed dialogue with governments about budget systems, budget allocations and the effectiveness of budget spending. DFID procedures require careful assessment and monitoring of the publicfinance management systems, and we aim to conduct these assessments jointly with partner governments.
	Where appropriate, we accompany PRBS grants with targeted technical assistance and project support. This can include training or other support on planning, budgeting, procurement and audit. Training is often shared amongst donors participating in multi- donor budget support (MDBS) programmes.

Aid Delivery

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what research he has commissioned concerning the effectiveness of aid delivery via (a) conventional programmes and projects and (b) poverty reduction budget support.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: DFID has commissioned a number of independent evaluations to address the efficient use of aid resources. In 200405 DFID commissioned work to assess the effectiveness of harmonisation, a number of country programmes and gender. DFID is also in the process of commissioning evaluations on the effectiveness of aid delivery in the areas of HIV/AIDS, Technical Cooperation and Agricultural Research. Work has been commissioned to look at the effectiveness of global funds and partnerships, and in assessing the effectiveness of the multilateral institutions that the UK supports.
	A major joint evaluation of General Budget Support (GBS), led by DFID on behalf of 23 donors and seven partner Governments, will assess to what extent, and under what circumstances and in what contexts, GBS is a relevant, efficient and effective instrument for achieving sustainable impact on poverty reduction and growth. The final findings of the joint evaluation are due to be published in January 2006. DFID has also been involved in a joint evaluation of General Budget Support in Tanzania (19952004), using the same framework as is being used for the larger study, which has recently produced its final report.

Aid Priorities

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which countries are classified as priorities for international aid.

Hilary Benn: DFID is committed to spending 90 per cent. of our budget in the world's poorest countries by 200506. This includes spending 1 billion per year in sub-Saharan Africa.
	DFID's Public Service Agreement for 200508 identifies 16 focus countries in Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe) and nine in Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan and Vietnam). DFID is working with country governments and other donors in these focus countries to reduce poverty using international aid.
	In addition, DFID provides aid to countries in Europe and Central Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and across the Middle East and North Africa. Within this group, DFID is currently providing significant support to both Iraq and the Palestinian Authority.
	A full breakdown of expenditure across all the countries DFID supports is provided in the recently published Statistics on International Development (2004 Edition), which is available in the House of Commons Library.

Chief Technical Advisers

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many chief technical adviser posts there were in (a) 200203 and (b) 200304; and how many such posts have been abolished in the past year.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: DFID had nine chief technical advisers in 200203. No posts were abolished, though internal restructuring saw these posts redefined as heads of profession in 2003. There are 10 heads of profession. The increase in posts arises from these being separate heads of profession for rural livelihoods and environment, a schedule previously covered by the chief national resources technical adviser.

Departmental Expenditure

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost of refurbishments in his Department was in each year since 1997; and what the planned expenditure is for 200506.

Hilary Benn: The following projects have been carried out on DFID UK buildings, over the period in question:
	1 Palace Street London (leased):
	Refurbishment project over the period 200001 to 200102, total cost 27 million.
	20 Victoria Street, London (leased):
	Refurbishment of building over the period 200102, total cost 1.2 million.
	Abercrombie House, East Kilbride (freehold):
	Refurbishment project over the period 200203 to date, total cost 16 million.
	The estimated expenditure for 200506 is 300,000, being the balance of the completion of the Abercrombie House refurbishment.

Departmental Properties

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many properties are held by the Department; what total floor space these properties provide; how many properties are vacant; and how much floor space vacant properties comprise.

Hilary Benn: DFID holds the following four UK properties:
	1 Palace Street London
	Leasehold, net Internal area: 15,910 sq m
	20 Victoria Street, London
	Leasehold, net Internal area: 1,178 sq m
	Abercrombie House, East Kilbride
	Freehold, net Internal area: 9,755 sq m
	Fair-field Place, East Kilbride (storage space only)
	Leasehold, net Internal area: 790 sq m
	None of the properties are vacant.
	Information on our overseas properties is not readily available and cannot be provided without incurring a disproportionate cost.

Departmental Staff

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  how many women there are in senior positions in his Department;
	(2)  how many of the staff employed by his Department have a declared disability.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: The Cabinet Office collects and publishes annually statistical information on the civil service by Department. These include data on the number of women in senior positions in Departments.
	The latest available information at April 2004 is available in the Library and on the civil service website and the following addresses:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_information statistical_information/statistics/publications/xls/gender_ apr04_4nov04.xls

Freedom of Information

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff in his Department were employed to deal with Freedom of Information Act 2000 issues in (a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2003 and (d) 2004; and how many staff are budgeted to deal with Freedom of Information Act 2000 issues in (i) 2005 and (ii) 2006.

Hilary Benn: The numbers of staff employed to deal with Freedom of Information Act (FOI) and other information access issues in DFID in the years in question are as follows:
	2001two staff dealt with Freedom of Information (FOI) and Data Protection Act (DPA) issues, and seven staff with records management (RM) issues;
	2002two staff for FOI/DPA issues, five staff for RM issues;
	2003eight staff for FOI/DPA and RM issues;
	2004eight staff for FOI/DPA and RM issues;
	2005eight staff budgeted for FOI/DPA and RM issues;
	2006eight staff budgeted for FOI/DPA and RM issues.
	Beyond those staff directly involved in the ongoing implementation and application of FOI within a Department, it is difficult to identify precisely the number of officials who will be dealing with FOI issues from 1 January 2005, since it is potentially part of every civil servant's role to respond to FOI requests.

HIV/AIDS

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when his Department will publish a strategy for meeting the needs of HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children in developing countries; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: Taking Action, the UK strategy on AIDS published in July 2004, set out a clear and ambitious agenda for the UK Government to tackle HIV and AIDS in developing countries. The strategy commits the UK Government to ensure that DFID spends at least 150 million over the next three years on programmes to meet the needs of orphans and other children, particularly those in Africa, made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS.
	A focus of the strategy is to ensure that the needs and rights of women, young peopleincluding orphansand marginalised groups are adequately addressed in the action we take.
	The UK's approach is to get behind internationally agreed targets. Hence one of the seven key targets for the UK strategy is to achieve a United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) target:
	National plans in place to meet the needs of orphans and children made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS by 2005.
	We have endorsed the UNICEF/UNAIDS Framework for the protection, care and support of orphans and vulnerable children living in a world with HIV and AIDS. We will follow this direction and not publish a separate strategy.

HIV/AIDS

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans he has to support community-based organisations providing support for HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children in developing countries.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: DFID fully recognises the importance of civil society in tackling HIV and AIDS.
	NGOs have a vital role to play in meeting the needs of children, and the families that care for them.
	In addition to the work of NGOs directly supported by DFID's country offices, we are currently renegotiating Partnership Programme Agreements with key UK organisations such as Voluntary Services Overseas, HelpAge International, the Panos Institute, Save the Children and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, all of whom work with orphans and vulnerable children.
	Across all of our Partnership Programme Agreements we will increase their funding by 16 million in 2005many new agreements will include AIDS-related work as a key objective and some will include work with orphans and vulnerable children.
	We will also increase our Civil Society Challenge Fund from 10 million to 14 million next year, and we will continue to encourage proposals from NGOs to support vulnerable groups such as orphans and vulnerable children affected by AIDS.

India (Caste Discrimination)

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Department is taking to tackle caste discrimination in India.

Hilary Benn: DFID seeks to understand and address issues of institutional and individual discrimination against Dalits that result in processes of social exclusion and disadvantage. DFID shares this analysis with development partners and encourages them to address discrimination through their programmes of support to the Government of India and civil society. In particular, DFID seeks to disaggregate data by the government's definition of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, to highlight the differences in health, education and other indicators between these Scheduled categories and others. For example, DFID support for the nationwide Sarva Shikshya Abhyan (Education-for-AII) and the Reproductive and Child Health programmes utilises such disaggregated data to identify those with the poorest outcomes and ensure that State and District Plans in education and health address the disparities.
	DFID is also developing programmes of support through civil society to help realise the rights of marginalised groups, specifically identifying Scheduled Castes or Dalits among these. The Poorest Areas Civil Society (PACS) programme supports a number of civil society initiatives that address social exclusion in the 100 poorest districts in India (details are available on the PACS website www.empowerpoor.org). DFID is in discussion with several International Non-Governmental Organisations, including the Dalit Solidarity Network, Christian Aid and Action Aid, about support for Scheduled Caste or Dalit organisations that seek to realise the Constitutional commitments intended to address caste discrimination and eliminate its harmful effects.
	In line with DFID's India Country Assistance Plan, we also seek to support programmes and organisations that promote the measures listed in the UN Committee for Elimination of Racial Discrimination (August 2002 General Recommendation XXIX on Descent-Based Discrimination), recognising Dalits as descent-based communities. DFID recognises the need for increased awareness of the issue across other departments if there is to be consistent help for India to address the problem of caste discrimination systemically.

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of post-war aid resources committed to Iraq has been spent to date; and what plans there are for further expenditure.

Hilary Benn: The UK made a total financial commitment of 544 million to humanitarian and reconstruction work in Iraq for the three years from April 2003 to March 2006. This comprises funding of 422.5 million from DFID (including 38 million as our share of planned EC spending), 30 million from the Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP), 61.5 million from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), and 30 million for Ministry of Defence Quick Impact Projects (QIPs).
	The UK has disbursed over 324 million: 251 million from DFID, 38 million from the FCO, 20 million on QIPs and 15 million from the GCPP. 220 million is expected to be disbursed over the next 15 months. Full details of DFID's commitments to aid in Iraq can be found at www.dfid.gov.uk/countries/asia/iraq.asp.

IT (Disciplinary Prodedures)

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff in his Department have (a) received official warnings and (b) faced disciplinary procedures following breaches of IT policy in each year since 1997.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: In DFID, the following disciplinary cases have occurred due to breach of IT policy since 1997:
	
		
			  Number of cases Action taken 
		
		
			 1997 1 Oral warning issued 
			 1999 1 Oral warning issued 
			 2002 1 Oral warning issued 
		
	
	The above information relates to our UK-based staff only as we do not hold central records of discipline cases for Staff Appointed in Country.
	The misuse of IT is identified as possible gross misconduct within our discipline procedures. These are included in DFID's Staff Handbook, a copy of which is made available to all staff.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  whether departmental special advisers have been responsible for authorising instances of departmental spending since May 1997;
	(2)  whether departmental special advisers have given instructions to permanent civil servants without the explicit authorisation of Ministers since May 1997.

Hilary Benn: I refer the hon. Member for Chichester to the response given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet (Mr. Miliband), on 16 December 2004, Official Report, column125859W.

Tanzania

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have had with (i) members and (ii) representatives of the Government of Tanzania, regarding the comments in Amnesty International's recent report Protecting their rights: Rwandese Refugees in the Great Lakes Region concerning the treatment of Rwanda's refugees in Tanzania; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: Tanzania hosts approximately 410,000 refugees from the Great Lakes Region in camps, of whom, 183 are of Rwandan origin. The Government of Tanzania has given all Rwandan refugees in the camps permission to remain in Tanzania pending resettlement. The United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) is currently surveying the numbers and aspirations of those in refugee settlements. No specific discussions have taken place on Amnesty International's recent report. DFID will continue to monitor the situation closely through UN fora.

Uzbekistan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions his Department has had with (a) the Government of Uzbekistan and (b) small farmers near Samarkand about property rights in agriculture.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: From 19982002, DFID supported land property issues in Samarkand. The DFID project provided technical assistance and seed capital in support of institutional strengthening of the association of private farmers in Bulungur. That project demonstrated that farmers are able to secure access to lending and markets through better use of property assets.
	Following requests from the Governments of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in 2004, DFID started cross border work in the Zarafshan Valley to improve economic growth and reduce poverty. In the Tajik part of Zarafshan, DFID is working with local governments and the United Nations Development Programme to promote the national poverty reduction strategy. Samarkand Oblast, which is the Uzbek part of the Zarafshan Valley, will benefit from this work. This work includes information and legal advice for protection of land ownership and property rights including affordable access to dispute resolution, through Third Party Arbitration Courts (TPAC). This will benefit small-scale private farmers, other poor people and emerging cooperatives.

Uzbekistan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the extent of the use of child labour in Uzbekistan.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: There is limited data on the issue of labour standards, child labour or forced and bonded labour in all countries of Central Asia, including Uzbekistan. Data from a UNICEF survey suggests that around one quarter of children in Uzbekistan were economically active in 2000. There is little documented evidence on the existence of forced or bonded labour in Uzbekistan. Child labour and child work is concentrated in the agricultural sector, service provision and trade.
	DFID supports the work of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which is expanding its activities in Central Asia, through the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC). IPEC is developing a regional programme to combat child labour with a focus on the worst forms. In Summer 2004, it undertook a series of appraisal missions to central Asia to develop future projects within the regional programme. In Uzbekistan, the ILO, jointly with UNICEF, will undertake research on child labour, in collaboration with the Social Complex of the Cabinet of Ministers: an umbrella body that works on social issues across Uzbek ministries.
	DFID's policy is to support the reduction of child labour with special emphasis on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, and to achieve this within the framework of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, in a way which ensures children's survival, meets children's development needs particularly in health and education, ensures children's protection and allows them to participate in decisions that affect their lives. On labour standards more generally, DFID policy emphasises the role that appropriate implementation of core labour standards plays in lifting poor people out of poverty.

PRIME MINISTER

Diplomatic Discussions

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions took place at his recent meeting with Chancellor Schroeder of Germany and the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Tony Blair: I have regular meetings with Chancellor Schroeder and Prime Minister Berlusconi, particularly in the run up to European Councils. At the most recent meetings we discussed a wide range of issues, including Turkey and other European matters.

Emails

Sue Doughty: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  what his Office's policy is in relation to the storage and deletion of e-mails; and whether this policy has been reviewed in the past 12 months;
	(2)  what his Office's policy is in relation to the storage of documents and the use of shredders; and whether this policy has been reviewed in the past 12 months.

Tony Blair: My office continues to implement well established policies and procedures for the review and disposal of files in accordance with its administrative needs and the Public Records Act.
	My office keeps records for as long as they are needed for administrative and business purposes. Records of enduring historical value are selected for permanent preservation under the guidance and supervision of the National Archives, on the basis of guidelines which are published on the National Archives website at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/recordsmanagement/advice/

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Anti-bribery/Corruption Procedures

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the sanctions used by the Export Credits Guarantee Department in the event that a company is convicted of or admits to corrupt activity; and on what basis the Export Credits Guarantee Department applies these sanctions.

Douglas Alexander: The sanctions set out beneath apply to circumstances of conviction or admission after ECGD has entered into contracts of support; and contracts written on standard forms introduced from September 2000. The details of which sanctions are available may depend upon the facts of individual cases: for instance what pre-contractual representations were made to ECGD.
	In outline the principal sanctions are that where ECGD has provided support by way of an insurance policy, ECGD will be entitled to avoid or terminate that policy and recover or seek recompense for any sums paid by it; and where it has guaranteed a bank which is itself innocent of any misrepresentation will have rights to claim from the exporter such amounts as ECGD may have paid to the bank under its guarantee.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many hours of staff time were taken up in preparation of Christmas cards in 2004.

Patricia Hewitt: Staff do not record hours spent on specific projects.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Departmental staff have responsibility for preparing Christmas cards.

Patricia Hewitt: For the past two years the DTI has produced its Christmas card from artwork created by the children of staff attending the DTI Holiday Playscheme. One member of staff has overall responsibility for organising the printing of the card. The time spent is nugatory.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of official Departmental Christmas cards included a contribution to charity in their cost; and which charities benefited from such a contribution.

Patricia Hewitt: None. The card was produced by the children of DTI staff.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many official Christmas cards were sent out by her Department in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Patricia Hewitt: Our records show that 3,165 cards were sent in 2003. We have not completed sending cards for 2004.

Coalminers' Compensation Scheme

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations her Department has received on sending information to all claimants under the Coalminers' Compensation Scheme about solicitors fees.

Nigel Griffiths: holding answer 14 December 2004
	A number of hon. Members have raised this issue which is being considered and I will write to my hon. Friend when a decision has been made.

E-mail

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to introduce an automatic e-mail notification facility for announcements and publications issued by her Department and those public bodies reporting to her.

Patricia Hewitt: DTI has had such a facility on its website for nearly three years, and is continuously developing it in response to public feedback. Currently it is possible to sign up for e-mail notifications of press notices, speeches and What's New announcements on the site. We also run a number of electronic newsletters in specific subject areas, to keep stakeholders up-to-date.

Ethnic Minorities

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the extent to which her Department's policies meet the needs of ethnic minorities.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 (RRAA) places a general duty on the DTI to be proactive in promoting race equality and to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of different racial groups. This duty also applies to our non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). The DTI's Race Equality Scheme ensures that our Department's services, schemes and policies meet the needsas far as possibleof all our stakeholders. This includes undertaking race equality impact assessments for relevant areas, monitoring for any adverse impacts, and publishing the results. Further information on the scheme is available at http://www.dti.gov.uk/race-equality-scheme/index.htm.
	The DTI also currently shares a PSA objective with the DWP, which aims to increase the employment rate and significantly reduce the difference between the overall employment rate and the employment rate of ethnic minorities. The latest data for 2004 shows that there has been a significant increase in the employment rate of ethnic minorities and that the employment rate gap is narrowing. DTI has contributed to this outcome through a number of policy initiatives, including joint working across Whitehall on the Ethnic Minorities and the Labour Market Task force. This PSA is measured quarterly to satisfy Treasury Monitoring requirements.
	Further, DTI's internal HR policies and processes are regularly evaluated and are benchmarked externally by Race for Opportunity to measure impact and to ensure they meet the needs of ethnic minority staff.

Export Credits Guarantee Scheme

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many guarantees were issued under the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme in each year between 1997 and 2004; and what the total value of (a) guarantees and (b) claims was in each period.

Douglas Alexander: As at 10 October 2004 the number and value of guarantees issued in each financial year since 1 April 1997, together with the total value of claims paid in each year, was as follows:
	
		
			 Financial year Number of guarantees issued Business issued  million Claims paid  million 
		
		
			 199798 241 3,541 165 
			 199899 222 3,725 145 
			 19992000 226 5,504 291 
			 200001 250 5,662 296 
			 200102 190 3,298 260 
			 200203 150 3,532 254 
			 200304 155 2,991 218 
			 200405 96 1,664 63 
			 Total 1,530 29,917 1,691 
		
	
	Over the same period total recoveries amounted to 1,618 million.

Fireworks

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what guidance she has issued to retailers about giving fireworks away for free to boost sales of other goods.

Gerry Sutcliffe: While it would be the preference of the Department that fireworks are not given away by retailers, there is no statute governing the marketing or promotion of fireworks products. No guidance has therefore been issued to retailers that supply fireworks.

Fireworks

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what resources will be made available to enforce the regulations contained in the Fireworks Act 2003 in the period before 31 December.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Most of the measures contained in the Fireworks Regulations 2004, which are made under the Fireworks Act 2003, will be enforced by Trading Standards, the Fire and Rescue Services and Customs and Excise and met by their current resource budgets. However, with regard to regulation 11information about importationofficials are in discussion with Suffolk county council Trading Standards, who are to play a role in the enforcement of this regulation, about possible extra central funding to maximise the effectiveness of this measure.
	With regard to the measures enforced by the Police Servicepossession and curfew offences, this is a matter for colleagues in the Home Office.

Fuel Prices

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 9 December 2004, Official Report, column 704W, on fuel prices, what plans she has to commission research into the impact of increased fuel prices on manufacturing competitiveness in the UK.

Jacqui Smith: The Department undertakes regular monitoring and analysis of changes in fuel prices and their implications for manufacturing competitiveness in the UK.
	Most of the recent increases in oil, gas and electricity prices have occurred as a result of market forces. Any new Government measure which may be expected to have an impact on fuel prices is subject to a standard Regulatory Impact Assessment to assess whether the benefits of a policy justify the costs.
	The Department does not have specific plans to commission research into the impacts on manufacturing competitiveness but is working closely with industry and trade associations in these areas to understand the reasons for and implications of fuel price increases.

Hearing Aid Industry

John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will report progress on the implementation of the recommendations of the most recent review of the hearing aid industry.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department has implemented recommendations of the review of the Hearing Aid Council Act 1968, by administrative action where possible. Certain recommendations would require legislation however, for which there are no current plans.

LNG Plant (Nigeria)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions (a) officials from the Export Credits Guarantee Department and (b) her Department's staff have met Halliburton officials since October 2003, with regard to the bribery allegations relating to the LNG plant at Bonny Island in Nigeria.

Douglas Alexander: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) Twice
	(b) None.

Manufacturing Advisers

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average time spent by advisers from the Manufacturing Advisory Service on in-depth consultancy projects was in the last period for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 20 December 2004
	The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) provides for a subsidised in-depth consultancy lasting up to 10 days to address areas for improvement identified in a diagnostic visit by a manufacturing adviser. The actual time spent will depend on the nature of the issues identified and the time and resources committed by the company. Figures for the average time taken are not compiled by MAS.

Maternity Leave (Wandsworth)

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many women living in the London borough of Wandsworth have received paid maternity leave in each of the last three years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The DTI is unable to provide reliable estimates for the number of women receiving paid maternity leave in the London borough of Wandsworth due to small sample size.

Microsystems National Technology Committee

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  if she will publish the reasons why the Microsystems National Technology Committee rejected the application of EMfab Ltd. for grant funding to help its national roll out of its microsystems project; and if she will publish the evidence on which that decision was based;
	(2)  if she will publish the minutes of the Microsystems National Technology Committee at which the decision not to support the EMfab application for grant funding to assist in the national roll-out of its microsystems project was taken.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 13 December 2004
	We do not release such information under Exemption 13 (Third Party Commercial Confidences) of the Code of Practice in access to government information.

Mobile Telephone Masts

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has made to EU counterparts regarding definitions of acceptable levels of radiation from mobile telephone masts.

Mike O'Brien: The UK has accepted the EU Council Recommendation of 12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields. This EU Recommendation refers to the exposure guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The Department of Health lead on advice on the exposure guidelines to electromagnetic fields.

Mobile Telephone Masts

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effect of thermal pulsing in radiation from mobile telephone masts.

Mike O'Brien: The issue of pulsing of mobile phone signals was addressed by the National Radiological Protection Board in the publication Health Effects from Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields. Report of an independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation. Volume 14 No.2 2003. See particularly Chapter 2, page 18 paragraphs 1719. The publication is available at http://www.nrpb.org/publications/documents_of_nrpb/abstracts/absd142.htm. In respect of thermal effects, mobile telecommunications equipment should comply with the exposure guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).

Nuclear Industry

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the last nuclear power station was built in the UK.

Mike O'Brien: Sizewell B Pressurised Water Reactor station which began generating energy in 1995.

Ofgem

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether Ofgem plans to investigate levels of gas prices in autumn 2004.

Mike O'Brien: The Ofgem Gas Price Probe Report, which was published on 5 October, examined gas prices over three distinct periods: wholesale spot prices in October 2003 and August/September 2004, and wholesale forward prices for winter 200405. Ofgem is taking the lead on the majority of issues raised, although it is working with a number of others including my Department, the Financial Services Authority and other European organisations. I understand that Ofgem will be writing to the hon. Member with further details shortly.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met representatives of the main energy intensive sectors of industry on 9 December and agreed that officials maintain a close dialogue with them, to get their ideas for improving the operation of the forward market in gas.

Ofgem

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will publish her guidance to Ofgem concerning its duty to have regard to sustainable development.

Mike O'Brien: It is for Ofgem, which operates under the direction and governance of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (the Authority), to interpret its own statutory duties. This ensures that the principles of independent regulation are not compromised. However, the Government issued social and environmental guidance to the Authority in February 2004. The Authority is required to have regard to the guidance when discharging its statutory functions to which its principal objective and general duties apply.

Parliamentary Questions

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many written questions for her Department were unanswered when Parliament prorogued; and how many of the unanswered questions were tabled in each of the previous months of the 200304 Session.

Patricia Hewitt: I have nothing to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) on 1 December 2004, Official Report, column 136W.

Radioactive Waste

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the written statement of 13 December 2004, Official Report, column 115WS, on intermediate level radioactive waste substitution, if she will (a) place in the Library and (b) post on her Department's website copies of each of the submissions made to the consultation on substitution; and if she will publish her analysis of the submissions (i) in favour and (ii) against the substitution proposals.

Mike O'Brien: A summary of the responses to the consultation are published on the DTI website at www.dti.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-1205.html together with the Statement (which took into account the responses to the consultation) announcing the change to the policy on substitution that was announced in the House on 13 December. A summary of the responses has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
	In addition, copies of the non-confidential responses to the consultation on the Proposals for Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste Substitution are available for viewing in the DTI library

Regional Development Agencies

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many contract staff have been appointed in regional development agencies to work on export trade promotion and inward investment.

Jacqui Smith: I understand that the number of permanent staff employed on a contract basis and other staff contracted to work on export trade promotion and inward investment by England's Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) are as follows:
	
		
			 RDA Number of permanent staff employed by the RDA Other staff contracted to work on export trade promotion and inward investment(22) 
		
		
			 South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA) 17 11 
			 East Midlands Development Agency (Emda) 15 3 
			 London Development Agency (LDA) 1 0 
			 Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) 16 (23)0 
			 ONE North East 17.5 (23)2 
			 South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) 14 5 
			 Yorkshire Forward (YF) 16 (23)6.5 
			 Advantage West Midlands (AWM(24)) 16 3 
			 East of England Development Agency (EEDA) 0 (25)33 
		
	
	(22) Staff on a temporary or consultancy contract for the RDA, or posts funded by the RDA for which operational management rests with an organization other than the RDA.
	(23) In collaboration, North West Development Agency, Yorkshire Forward and ONE North East each contribute one third of the staffing costs relating to 14 staff in overseas offices. These staff are not included in the table.
	(24) AWM has joint funding arrangements with EMDA covering staff in Japan and the USA.
	(25) EEDA's sister organisation, Invest East of England (East of England Investment Agency) the inward investment agency for the region which receives the majority of its funding from BED A currently had 33 employees as of 30 November 2004

Regional Selective Assistance Grants

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many regional selective assistance grants have been made since 1997; what their value is; and how many jobs her Department estimates have been (a) created and (b) safeguarded by the scheme.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 20 December 2004
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, South (Mr. Cunningham) on 16 November 2004, Official Report, column 1309W.

Regulatory Impact Assessments

Edward O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for which pieces of legislation affecting business introduced by her Department since 1997 regulatory impact assessments have been made.

Nigel Griffiths: I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry gave to the hon. Member for Twickenham on 27 January 2003, Official Report, column 596W.
	The latest bi-annual Command Paper issued by the Cabinet Office lists all Departments' Regulatory Impact Assessments from January to June 2004. This paper, along with previous Command Papers, is available in the Libraries of the House.
	The following Regulatory Impact Assessments published by the Department of Trade and Industry since July 2004, and for which a Command Paper is yet to be published, are available in the Libraries of the House:
	Civil Partnership Bill and the Regulatory Reform (Patents) Order 2004 Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise Bill)
	The Fireworks Regulations 2004 The Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2004
	The Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 2004
	The Trade Marks (International Registrations Designating the European Community, etc.) Regulations 2004
	The European Public Limited-Liability Company Regulations 2004
	The Patents (Amendment) Rules 2004
	The Companies Act 1985 (International Accounting Standards and Other Accounting Amendments) Regulations 2004
	Employment Relations Act 2004
	Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004
	Regulations to establish a general framework for informing and consulting employees in the UK: October 2004
	Wireless Telegraphy (Spectrum Trading) Regulations 2004
	Wireless Telegraphy (Register) Regulations 2004

Research and Development

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Smart awards and grants for research and development have been given since 1997; what their total value was; and if she will make an estimate of the value that the grants and awards added to companies in terms of (a) cash, (b) jobs and (c) exports.

Nigel Griffiths: holding answer 20 December 2004
	The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			 Financial year Number of awards (offers of grant) Value of awards (offers of grant) ( million) 
		
		
			 199798 455 30.2 
			 199899 402 24.0 
			 19992000 396 19.3 
			 200001 578 28.6 
			 200102 829 34.0 
			 200203 1,140 46.5 
			 200304 919 59.4 
			 Total 4,719 242 
		
	
	The figures are for offers of grant made under the Smart scheme in England between 1 March 1997 and 31 March 2004. Smart closed to applications on 31 August 2003. The Grant for Research and Development, which built upon the Smart scheme, began accepting applications on 1 June 2003.
	The most recent, independent evaluation of Smart in 200001 found that (a) annual turnover was nearly 500 million higher, (b) employment was more than 8,000 higher and (c) annual exports were nearly 270 million higher than they would have been without the scheme.

Research Councils (Consultants)

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much each of the research councils has paid to consultants (a) to help them prepare for oral evidence sessions before parliamentary Select Committees and (b) for other services since June 2001.

Patricia Hewitt: The Research Councils have paid in total 84,306 (inclusive of VAT) to consultants to help them prepare for oral evidence sessions before parliamentary Select Committees. The information on the total amount paid for all other consultancy services commissioned since June 2001, is not held centrally within the Department and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Shareholder Executive

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what appointments the Shareholder Executive has made to the companies for which it is directly responsible.

Patricia Hewitt: Appointments to the companies' boards are made by the Minister in the relevant Department: they are not made directly by the Shareholder Executive. The Shareholder Executive will be expected to advise Ministers on those appointments.

Shareholder Executive

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Shareholder Executive's day-to-day management responsibilities are for the public shareholdings for which it is directly responsible; and whether these responsibilities involve authority over (a) operations, (b) budget approval and (c) appointments.

Patricia Hewitt: The Shareholder Executive has the management responsibility for monitoring and advising in a shareholding capacity those businesses for which it is directly responsible; these responsibilities include consideration and advice to Ministers on budgets and appointments to boards but it is for the management of those businesses to be responsible and accountable for their operations.

South West Regional Development Agency

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the South West Regional Development Agency's financial support for a microsystems company in Estores, Plymouth; if she will seek an explanation from the agency of their use of public funds; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 6 December 2004
	I understand that a full assessment of the development of the Estover Road site into an open access manufacturing facility was begun in February 2004. This included an impartial assessment by five independent referees and assessment by an expert panel. In November 2004, the Executive Panel (a group of RDA, DTI and Industry experts that provide strategic advice on the investment of the 40 million Capital Facilities programme) voted unanimously that a sustainable business plan for the Estover site would be very difficult to achieve and that the application into Round Two of the Capital Facility programme should not be progressed any further.
	On the information I have received, I do not think that the South West of England Regional Development Agency and the DTI were wrong to carefully evaluate this potentially important project. Additionally, I am satisfied that due consideration was given to this project before the bid was turned down.
	In the first instance both SWRDA and the DTI investigated the feasibility of retaining the BAE Systems Estover Road facility as an MNT Centre of Excellence. DTI supported the cost of this feasibility assessment with a grant of 1.384 million, in addition to the 550,000 invested by the SWRDA.
	Under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998, England's Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) are required to seek the consent of the Secretary of State on the use of public funds. The conditions under which an RDA has delegated authority to give assistance are set out in a Financial Memorandum which states that it may commit expenditure not exceeding 10 million on individual projects subject to certain conditions; any expenditure that is in any way novel or contentious, regardless of its cost, requires the specific prior approval of the Secretary of State. I understand that the South West of England Regional Development Agency decision to invest in this particular project came within the scope of this delegated authority.

Sub-post Offices

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has held with (a) parish and town councils and (b) the National Association of Local Councils on how these bodies might support sub-post offices.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have not held discussions with parish and town councils or with the National Association of Local Councils at this stage.
	The Government recognise the importance of the rural post office network to local communities and will not take any decisions on the future of the network without a proper assessment of those needs. My officials are working closely with Defra and the devolved Administrations to identify future options for sustaining access to post office services for rural communities. This work is still at an early stage, but I am sure that they will seek the views of bodies representing parish and town councils at an appropriate point.

Telecommunications

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she will take to ensure that BT fulfils its obligation to provide an improved IPStream to DataStream migration process in the broadband market.

Mike O'Brien: Increasing competition in the broadband market is an important part of the Government's strategy to make the UK the best place in the world for e-business. An effective regulatory regime is the best way of increasing competition in that market.
	The implementation of the regulatory regime is the responsibility of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) as independent regulator. Ofcom is still working through the implications of its recent wholesale broadband market review and that the industry is aware of the concerns around the issue. My officials have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to respond directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Time Zones

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will discuss with Ministers in the Scottish Executive the merits of bringing time in England and Wales, but not Scotland, into line with Europe.

Gerry Sutcliffe: There are no plans to have such discussions.

Trade (Southampton)

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what volume of trade passed through Southampton in each year since 199899.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	The total foreign and domestic traffic at Southampton in the calendar years 1998 to 2003 was as follows:
	
		
			  Total traffic (thousand tonnes) 
		
		
			 1998 34,259 
			 1999 33,289 
			 2000 34,773 
			 2001 35,689 
			 2002 34,156 
			 2003 35,773

UK Trade and Investment

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether she plans to discontinue UK Trade and Investment's Support for Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad Schemes; and if she will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: There are no plans to end the Support for Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad Scheme (SESA). However, as part of its Trade Services Review, which followed an extensive Customer Needs Review, UK Trade and Investment is reviewing the support provided through all of its schemes to ensure that its resources are used to maximum impact and benefit to its customers.
	Since the results of SR2004 were announced, UK Trade and Investment has been consulting widely with stakeholders over potential changes to its services, including those provided through the SESA scheme from 1 April 2006.

UK Trade and Investment

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much UK Trade and Investment has spent on external consultants over the past six months.

Douglas Alexander: Our records show that for the six months from April to end September 2004, UK Trade and Investment spent about 2.414 million on consultancy.

Vendside Ltd.

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what contractual arrangements the Department has entered into with Vendside Ltd.; and on what date in each case.

Patricia Hewitt: The British Coal Vibration White Finger Claims Handling Agreement is the only contractual arrangement the Department has with Vendside Ltd. The Agreement was signed on 28 January 1999.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Spain

Claire Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Spanish authorities in respect of the recent racism and violence at the football match against England.

Denis MacShane: pursuant to his oral answer, 14 December 2004, Official Report, c. 1526
	There was an error in my answer of 14 December to the hon. Member, for which I apologise. The correct answer should have been:
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I discussed this matter with our opposite numbers the day after the match and expressed the outrage felt throughout the UK. They, as well as the Spanish Prime Minister's office, have issued statements apologising and condemning the behaviour. The House may also be interested to know that the Spanish anti-violence commission has just asked the Spanish football association to open a disciplinary case against the Spanish national coach, Luis Aragones, for his remarks about a footballer who plays for a team in the English Premier League. The whole House will condemn these remarks as racist

Abu Ghraib Prison

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when British officials were first informed of allegations of mistreatment at Abu Ghraib prison, Iraq.

Bill Rammell: UK officials became aware of allegations of mistreatment of detainees in July 2003, but it was not until January 2004 that they became aware of allegations concerning treatment at Abu Ghraib when they were informed by the US authorities that detailed investigations had begun into these allegations.

Afghanistan

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which political parties have registered to participate in the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Afghanistan.

Bill Rammell: According to the Afghan Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB), by 30 September (the most recent date for which information is available) some 70 parties were recorded as being at some stage of registration.
	A full list of these parties and other information concerning the election process is available at the JEMB website: www.elections-afghanistan.org.af/.

China

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Government have had with (a) the European Union and (b) the United States of America regarding the lifting of the arms embargo against China; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: The Government supports the decision of the European Council in December 2003 to review the EU Arms Embargo on China. This review is on-going-it was last discussed by EU Foreign Ministers at the 13 December General Affairs and External Relations Council. In recent contacts with my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, US Ministers have expressed an interest in the review of the embargo. However, the review and any decisions arising from it are to be undertaken by the EU only. The EU will take all relevant factors into account in the review. The Government does not wish to pre-empt the conclusion of the review.

China Human Rights Dialogue Round

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the November 2004 UK China Human Rights Dialogue round.

Denis MacShane: The November 2004 UK China Human Rights Dialogue was held on 22 November in Beijing. The theme was Human Rights and the Development of Urban Society. The delegations explored in some depth issues relating to employment, housing and migrant worker rights and reform of mechanisms for dealing with crime. The UK side also raised some other issues outside this theme including for example Tibet. We are assessing the outcome of this round.

Correspondence

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Totnes dated 25 October, concerning his constituent, Mrs. V. Hobbs, and the Taba bomb.

Chris Mullin: holding answer 20 December 2004
	A reply was sent on 20 December.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's latest assessment is of the (a) political, (b) social and (c) economic situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Chris Mullin: The Transitional Government remain in place and continue to work, with the support of the UN Peacekeeping Force (MONUC) towards holding free and fair elections within the time scale laid out by the peace agreement. Many challenges remain, including army integration and re-establishing state control.
	We are working with the Transitional Government and international partners to support the peace process and to repair the social fabric of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has been severely damaged by war and misrule.
	Macroeconomic stability has been achieved and the DRC's economy is growing. However, the majority of the population still lives in poverty and the country's rich natural resources are not yet being exploited for the benefit of the people of the DRC.

EU Constitution

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken by the European Commission to implement elements of the EU Constitution prior to its formal ratification; and what his Department's policy is towards the implementation of elements of the Constitution prior to ratification.

Denis MacShane: holding answer 30 November 2004
	No policies or institutions for which the entry into force of the Treaty is required can be implemented until the Treaty has been ratified by all member states. However, in some areas, the Intergovernmental Conference outcome explicitly requires preparatory work. In particular, in accordance with the Declaration on Article 124.7 of the EU Constitutional Treaty, preparatory work is being undertaken on the procedures for implementing the decision on the exercise of the Presidency of the Council, on which a political decision is required within six months of signature of the Treaty. In addition, in accordance with the Declaration on Article HI-296, the High Representative for CFSP/Secretary General of the Council, the European Commission and the member states have begun preparatory work examining the key issues relating to the establishment of the European External Action Service once the Treaty is in force. The European Defence Agency, Article 141.3 of the Constitutional Treaty, was established in June 2004. Member states agreed to establish the Agency in 2004 due to the pressing need for it to begin its work to help member states improve their military capabilities. The Agency was established under the existing institutional framework of the Treaty on the European Union.

EU Constitution

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has reached an agreement with the German Chancellor to seek an amendment to the proposed EU Constitution that would change the voting weights accorded to member states of different sizes.

Denis MacShane: holding answer 20 December 2004
	No such agreement has been reached.

EU-China Arms Embargo

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the likely implications of ending the EU-China Arms embargo on UK relations with (a) North Korea, (b) South Korea, (c) the United States, (d) Taiwan and (e) China.

Denis MacShane: The Government will take all relevant factors into account in the on-going EU review of the EU Arms Embargo on China. The Government fully recognises the importance of maintaining regional stability. Since the imposition of the Embargo, the EU has agreed a Code of Conduct on defence export sales, including sales to China. In the event of the EU Arms Embargo on China being lifted, the Code of Conduct would remain the primary means of controlling arms sales.

Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the policy reasons for the UK's abstention in the UN General Assembly vote on a programme of work to include the commencement of negotiations on a fissile material cut-off treaty.

Denis MacShane: The United Kingdom's reasons for abstaining on resolution A/RES/59/81 in the United Nations General Assembly were given in an Explanation of Vote when the resolution was considered at the UN First Committee on Disarmament (4 October-5 November 2004). It stated:
	It is with regret that the UK has felt the need to abstain on L34. As you will be aware, in previous years we have co-sponsored this resolution.
	The UK remains fully committed to an FMCT. It also continues to support the effective verification of international arms control treaties. The negotiation of an FMCT has long been an agreed priority of the international community and we would like to see negotiations begin at the Conference on Disarmament in January.
	We believe that this resolution, as currently worded, divides the international community at a time when consensus to move forward and to do so as soon as possible should be our prime objective. 1
	1 Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT).

Indigenous People's Rights

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with which individuals and organisations his Department has consulted in relation to the proposed Draft UN Declaration for Indigenous People's Rights.

Denis MacShane: Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have consulted a wide range of individuals and organisations on the draft Declaration since the UN Working Group on the Declaration was established in 1994. This has included Round-Tables in London with interested NGOs in 2002 and 2003, as well as on-going contacts in Geneva with a range of member states and representatives of indigenous groups. The aim of these consultations is to promote solutions to difficulties with the current draft, in order to allow a strong Declaration to be agreed.

Indigenous People's Rights

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UK Government's policy is on the Draft UN Declaration for Indigenous People's Rights.

Bill Rammell: The UK is concerned that many indigenous people do not enjoy their full human rights, and believes that this Declaration could be an important tool to help recognise and protect those rights. However, the UK has a number of concerns about the current draft, including the fact that it seeks to create new collective human rights, specific to indigenous people. The UK believes that human rights are universal and equal to all.
	We recognise that governments of many states with indigenous populations have granted them various collective rights at national level, and have no objection to this welcome fact being reflected in the Declaration. However these rights bestowed nationally need to remain distinct from individual human rights, enjoyed by indigenous people and all others, and enshrined in international law. We believe that our concerns can be accommodated in a strong and meaningful Declaration, and we remain ready to participate fully in negotiations.

Indigenous People's Rights

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) discussions he has had with and (b) representations he has received from Commonwealth governments regarding the proposed Draft UN Declaration for Indigenous People's Rights.

Denis MacShane: UK officials attending the UN Working Group on the Draft Declaration have regular discussions on the proposed draft with a wide range of member states, including the representatives of Commonwealth governments which participate. The aim of these discussions, which officials also hold with the representatives of indigenous groups, is to promote solutions to difficulties with the current draft, in order to allow a strong Declaration to be agreed. Neither my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary nor I have had discussions with, or received representations from, Commonwealth governments on the draft Declaration.

Iraq

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the size of the adult population of Iraq; and how many (a) men and (b) women have registered for the forthcoming elections.

Bill Rammell: The population of Iraq is estimated to be 27 million. The voter register for the forthcoming elections has been drawn from the food rationing database and includes 13.9 million names. It is not possible to say how many people are registered to vote since the process for registration is essentially a passive exercise. This means that voters need only contact their registration centre if they need to amend or make an addition to the register.

Israel

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights situation in Israel.

Denis MacShane: This Government have discussed a number of human rights issues with the Israeli Government. These include the restrictions that were placed on Mordechai Vanunu following his release from detention; the terms of the Citizenship and Family Unification Law; the conditions in Israeli prisons; and the plight of the Bedouin community in the Negev desert. Along with our EU partners, we will continue to monitor the human rights situation in Israel, and we will raise our concerns where appropriate.

Israel

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the Israeli Government on their disengagement plan.

Bill Rammell: We have had frequent discussions with both sides regarding the Israeli disengagement plan. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed this with Israeli Vice Prime Minister Olmert and Minister for Foreign Affairs Shalom during his visit to Israel on 24 November. The Foreign Secretary urged Israel to co-ordinate both implementation and arrangements for the period following disengagement with the Palestinians. Israeli Prime Minister Sharon has since stated that he will make every effort to co-ordinate disengagement with the new Palestinian Government.

Maoist Insurgency

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place between the Government and the Governments of (a) Nepal and (b) India regarding Maoist insurgency; what assessment has been made of the impact of the insurgency on the stability of the wider region; and what steps the Government are taking to assist (i) India and (ii) Nepal in combating this threat.

Douglas Alexander: We are in regular touch with the Governments of both Nepal and India about the Maoist insurgency, both at ministerial and senior official levels. I visited Nepal in November and held discussions with both the King and Prime Minister about the current situation. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has also raised the issue with his Indian counterpart, most recently on 4 December, and the UK Special representative to Nepal, Sir Jeffrey James, has been visiting Nepal and India regularly for talks with ministers and officials.
	We have considered the actual and potential impact of the insurgency on stability in the wider region with the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development (DFID). Large numbers of refugees from the conflict have already moved to India. We remain concerned about possible links between Nepalese Maoists and far-left groups in north eastern India, which threaten stability there.
	To help to minimise the risks these threats pose, the UK has been working closely with international partners. Our efforts are intended to help Nepal to move on from the current conflict as a democratic, stable country, with multi-party democracy, a constitutional monarchy, sustainable economic and social reform, good governance and a high level of respect for human rights.
	For several years we have been giving considerable assistance to Nepal through the Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP) to help the state counter the insurgency in a manner in accordance with internationally accepted norms and also to assist Nepal to tackle the root causes of the conflict. DFID has committed 35 million this year to an extensive programme aimed at reducing poverty and social inequality, and accelerating economic growth and improving quality of life and good governance. In all of our efforts we work closely with our international partners to ensure a unified approach. We welcome the close cooperation we enjoy with India in our efforts to help Nepal resolve the problems it faces.

Middle East

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken following the beating up of Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, Presidential Candidate in the Occupied Territories of Palestine, by Israeli soldiers.

Denis MacShane: During his visit to Israel on 24 November, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary pressed the Israeli Government to do all they can to facilitate the Palestinian presidential elections. Prime Minister Sharon has committed to do so. We were extremely concerned to hear of the treatment of Dr. Mustafa Barghouti by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) at an Israeli checkpoint. We shall continue to raise our concerns about IDF behaviour and about the need for freedom of movement for Palestinian candidates and voters in the upcoming presidential elections.

Middle East

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he will make to the Israeli Government concerning the release of Marwan Barghouti from prison in order that he can take part in the Palestinian Authority presidential elections.

Denis MacShane: We have no plans to make representations to the Israeli Government concerning Marwan Barghouti's release from prison. Mr. Barghouti withdrew his candidature for the Palestinian Authority presidential elections on 13 December.

Middle East

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli Government concerning road networks in the Occupied Territories which can be used only by Israelis.

Denis MacShane: We regularly raise our concerns with the Israeli Government on the imposition of restrictions on the movement of Palestinian people and goods (the closures). My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised this issue during his visit to Israel on 24 November. These restrictions contribute to the Palestinians' sense of frustration and helplessness, and make a comprehensive settlement more difficult to achieve. We will continue to urge the Israeli Government to facilitate maximum freedom of movement for Palestinians in the Occupied Territories.

Pakistan

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he made to the President of Pakistan during his visit to the UK on the treatment of minorities in Pakistan, with particular regard to (a) Ahmadiyya Muslims and (b) the use of the Law of Blasphemy in that country; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary did not raise the issue of the treatment of minorities in Pakistan with President Musharraf during his recent visit to the UK.
	The British Government takes a serious view of any persecution of minorities and of other religious intolerance and discrimination in Pakistan. We raise our concerns with the Pakistani authorities together with our EU partners, and did so most recently in May this year in a demarche which specifically mentioned the case of a Christian charged under the Blasphemy laws.

Sickness Absence

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many days sick leave were taken by civil servants in the Department in each year since 1997; and what the sickness absence rate was in each year.

Douglas Alexander: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Average annual sick days per officer Sickness absence rate (percentage) 
		
		
			 1997 8.9 3.4 
			 1998 8.0 3.0 
			 1999 (26)n/a (26)n/a 
			 2000 6.3 2.4 
			 2001 6.6 2.5 
			 2002 5.7 2.1 
			 2003 (27)4.2 (27)1.6 
		
	
	(26) Not availableincomplete information due to the introduction of a new data system in-year.
	(27) Absences under-recorded during roll-out of a new data system.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many complaints were made by departmental civil servants regarding the conduct of special advisers between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004.

Douglas Alexander: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the then Minister of State for the Cabinet Office (Ruth Kelly) on 8 December 2004, Official Report, column 578W.
	No complaints were made by civil servants from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about the conduct of special advisers between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether departmental special advisers have made appearances before parliamentary select committees in their official capacity since May 1997.

Jack Straw: Mr. Andrew Hood, special adviser to my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary (Robin Cook), appeared before the Select Committee on standards and privileges in 1999.
	Since then no other Foreign and Commonwealth Office special adviser has appeared before a Select Committee.

Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the case of Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche was raised during the November 2004 UK China Human Rights Dialogue round.

Denis MacShane: Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche was included on our list of individual cases of concern handed over at the UK China Human Rights Dialogue round which took place on 22 November in Beijing.
	In addition we encouraged and supported the most recent EU demarche on the case which took place on 25 November 2004.

Test Ban Treaty

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many countries have signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

Denis MacShane: To date, 174 states have signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and, of these, 120 have also ratified.

Ukraine

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to hear the appeal submitted to the British embassy in Kiev on 6 September relating to the refusal to allow Mrs. Inna Isaacs to join her husband; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: I regret that I cannot provide this information as it is not our practice to disclose details of individual entry clearance cases in a public forum. I am therefore withholding the information requested under Exemption 5 of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. However, I wrote to the hon. Gentleman on 9 December.

Uzbekistan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the average per capita income of employees on state farms is in Uzbekistan.

Bill Rammell: We do not have the relevant figures. However, we estimate that cotton pickers have been paid between 3050 sum (approximately $0.03$0.05) per kilo of cotton this season.

West Papua

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) European Union counterparts, (b) the United Nations and (c) the Indonesian government regarding the (i) human rights situation in West Papua and (ii) special autonomy law concerning the province of West Papua; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: We have regularly discussed the situation in Papua with our European counterparts. A group of European Union Troika Ministers met with the President and the Foreign Minister of Indonesia on 28 October 2004 in Jakarta and raised the issue of Human Rights and Special Autonomy regarding Papua. The Indonesian Foreign Minister stressed at this meeting that respect of human rights was a pillar of the Indonesian Government's plans and told them that the government has endorsed a second plan of action on human rights covering the next five years. President Yudhoyono said that Special Autonomy would be the solution for Papua.
	Our representatives at the UN are consulting the UN Secretary General's Office about any planned reviews of the Act of Free Choice for Papua.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary sent his Special Advisor, Michael Williams, to Indonesia as his personal envoy in December 2004. He met the President, the Foreign Minister and other senior members of the Indonesian Government. The situation in Papua was discussed during these meetings. The President of Indonesia reiterated that conflict resolution in Papua is one of the Indonesian Government's priorities and that he would implement the Special Autonomy Law for Papua. The British Government welcomes this statement.

Working Time Regulations

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials working in ministerial private offices in the Department have worked more than a 48-hour week at any time in the last 12 months for which figures are available; how many of those had signed a waiver under working time regulations; and what percentage these figures represented of the total in each case.

Jack Straw: holding answer 13 December 2004
	30 (61 per cent. of the total number) officials working in ministerial private offices have worked on occasion more than a 48 hour week during the last 12 months. Five of those have signed a formal waiver under the Working Time Regulations, representing 16 per cent. of the staff who have worked those hours.

WALES

Bangor University

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will invite the Higher Education Funding Council for England to investigate the reasons why the Batchelor of Education degree course at Bangor university was terminated before the end of the course; and what advice his Department will offer to Miss Christine Antrichan, a constituent, to enable her to complete her degree.

Don Touhig: holding answer 20 December 2004
	The University of Wales, Bangor runs a three year B Ed (Hons) in Primary Education, leading to qualified teacher status.
	The university has no plans to terminate the B Ed degree programme, but any queries about the subjects offered within the degree should be directed to the academic registrar of the university.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 
	(1)  how many hours of staff time were taken up in preparation of Christmas cards in 2004;
	(2)  how many Departmental staff have responsibility for preparing Christmas cards.

Peter Hain: The amount of time taken up on preparation is not available, however, the work is carried out alongside normal duties.
	Two member of Wales Office staff have an overall responsibility for preparing ministerial and official Christmas cards and may call upon routine administrative support in undertaking this.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of official departmental Christmas cards included a contribution to charity in their cost; and which charities benefited from such a contribution.

Peter Hain: 24 per cent. of Christmas cards sent by the Wales Office included a charitable contribution, and the Civil Service Benevolent Fund was the beneficiary.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 
	(1)  what the cost of postage was for official departmental Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004;
	(2)  what the cost was of purchasing official departmental Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Peter Hain: We do not hold this information separately and it would involve disproportionate cost to obtain it.
	All expenditure incurred in the purchase and postage of official Christmas cards is made in accordance with the departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in Government Accounting.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many official Christmas cards were sent out by his Department in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Peter Hain: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) 1,475
	(b) 1,425
	Ministerial Christmas card lists are synchronised between offices to avoid duplication of recipients in so far as it is possible.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether departmental special advisers have been responsible for authorising instances of departmental spending since May 1997.

Peter Hain: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 16 December 2004, Official Report, column 1258W, by my hon. Friend the Minister of State in the Cabinet Office.

Wales Office

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library the independent consultant's review of 200102 which recommended the creation of further posts in the Wales Office; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: A copy of the report has been placed in the Library today.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Bury Law Centre

David Chaytor: To ask the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs when the Legal Services Commission in Manchester will refund to Bury Law Centre the costs associated with (a) the hire of locum solicitors during the maternity leave of the former Practice Manager and Supervising Solicitor and (b) the recruitment and locum arrangements relating to the current vacancy in respect of the Immigration Caseworker post.

David Lammy: The Legal Services Commission (LSC) has a discretionary power to make an additional payment to cover the costs of maternity leave. However the LSC has informed the Bury Law Centre Manager it will not use their discretion because Bury Law Centre is not meeting their contractual obligations.
	Under the terms of the LSC's contract additional funding is not available for an existing contractor to meet staff recruitment costs. The costs of temporary staffing arrangements to cover a vacancy should normally be met from salary costs that have been paid by the LSC under the contract.

Court Fines (Greater London)

Tom Cox: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what percentage of fines imposed by courts covering the Greater London area were not paid in each of the last five years.

Christopher Leslie: Information on fines imposed and collected by courts covering the Greater London area is provided by the Greater London Magistrates' Courts Authority (GLMCA). A following table shows current performance and payment rates since the establishment of the GLMCA in 2001. A second table shows 200001 payment rates for the 22 Magistrates' Courts Committees (MCCs) that were subsequently amalgamated into the GLMCA.
	
		Table 1: Payment Rate(28) for Greater London Magistrates' Courts Authority (GLMCA)
		
			 Financial Year Percentage 
		
		
			 200001 (30) 
			 200102 46 
			 200203 40 
			 200304 66 
			 200405(29) 67 
		
	
	(28) Payment rate: defined as the amount paid into court as a percentage of new amounts owed.
	(29) Up to date (April to October).
	(30) In 200001 the GLMCA did not exist as a single entity. It was created from the amalgamation of 22 Magistrates' Courts Committees (MCCs) on 1 April 2001 and therefore no comparable figures exist. In addition, as a result of changes to the calculation of the payment rate in 200304, direct year-on-year comparisons are not appropriate.
	See Table 2 as follows for 200001 payment rates for the 22 MCCs that were subsequently amalgamated into GLMCA.
	
		Table 2: Payment Rate(31) for Greater London MCCs(now GLMCA)
		
			 MCC Financial year 200001 (percentage) 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 59 
			 Barnet 29 
			 Bexley 63 
			 Brent 44 
			 Bromley 71 
			 City of London 41 
			 Croydon 48 
			 Ealing 56 
			 Enfield 67 
			 Haringey 49 
			 Harrow 50 
			 Havering 75 
			 Hillingdon 97 
			 Hounslow 48 
			 Inner London 27 
			 Kingston Upon Thames 63 
			 Merton 56 
			 Newham 50 
			 Redbridge 88 
			 Richmond Upon Thames 86 
			 Sutton 44 
			 Waltham Forest 46 
		
	
	(31) Payment Rate: defined as the amount paid into court as a percentage of new amounts owed.

Departmental Expenditure

George Osborne: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the cost of refurbishments in his Department was in each year since 1997; and what the planned expenditure is for 200506.

David Lammy: This information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Files

Julian Lewis: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether it is the policy of the Department to retain for the benefit of future (a) historians and (b) applicants under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the same (i) complete categories of files, (ii) numbers of files and (iii) representative examples of files from categories of files destroyed as had been preserved prior to the passage of that Act.

David Lammy: In accordance with the Public Records Act 1958 S.3, the selection of records of enduring historical value for permanent preservation at The National Archives (TNA) will continue to take place in the Department for Constitutional Affairs under the guidance and supervision of TNA staff. The Department will also comply with the Code of Practice on Records Management, issued by the Lord Chancellor under S.46 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which underlines the importance of having clear selection policies and disposal schedules in place.

Departmental Files

Julian Lewis: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what changes have been promulgated in each of the past five years to the guidelines or other criteria for the retention or destruction of departmental files.

David Lammy: Since 1999, my Department registry, which excludes the Court Service, has produced 18 schedules for the disposal of records which are specific to its administrative activities. It also disposes of its records in accordance with over 20 guidance notes produced by The National Archives (TNA) over the last five year, covering disposal schedules, managing records in the electronic environment, as well as overarching records management guidance. Further details of this guidance can be found on TNA's website at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/recordsmanagement/advice

Disabilities

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many of the staff employed by the Department have a declared disability.

David Lammy: The Cabinet Office collects and publishes annually statistical information on the civil service by Department. This includes data on the number of staff who have a declared disability.
	The latest available information as at April 2004 is available in the Library and on the civil service website at the following address-http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_information/statistical_information/statistics/publications/xls/disabilitv apr04 4nov04.xls

Freedom of Information

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many staff in the Department were employed to deal with Freedom of Information Act 2000 issues in (a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2003 and (d) 2004; and how many staff are budgeted to deal with Freedom of Information Act 2000 issues in (i) 2005 and (ii) 2006.

David Lammy: Since the Department for Constitutional Affairs is the lead Government Department on the Freedom of Information Act, the Department employs both staff responsible for wider Freedom of Information policy and also staff responsible for implementing the Freedom of Information Act within the Department.
	The number of staff in the Department for Constitutional Affairs that have been employed to deal with wider Freedom of Information policy from 200105 is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of officials 
		
		
			 (a) April 2001 to March 2002 8 
			 (b) April 2002 to March 2003 11 
			 (c) April 2003 to March 2004 20 
			 (d) April 2004 to March 2005 25 
		
	
	The number of staff that are budgeted to deal with wider Freedom of Information policy during 200506 is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of officials 
		
		
			 (i) April 2005 to March 2006 25 
			 (ii) April 2006 to March 2007 23 
		
	
	The number of staff in the Department for Constitutional Affairs' Access Rights Unit that have been employed to deal with implementing the Freedom of Information Act within the Department itself from 200105 is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of officials 
		
		
			 (e) April 2001 to March 2002 1 
			 (f) April 2002 to March 2003 3 
			 (g) April 2003 to March 2004 3 
			 (h) April 2004 to March 2005 6 
		
	
	The number of staff that are budgeted to deal with implementing the Freedom of Information Act within the Department itself during 200506 is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of officials 
		
		
			 (iii) April 2005 to March 2006 6 
			 (iv) April 2006 to March 2007 6 
		
	
	It should be noted that staff employed to deal with implementing Freedom of Information within the Department itself also have responsibility for departmental compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Environmental Information Regulations.
	Beyond those staff directly involved in the ongoing implementation and application of Freedom of Information Act, it is difficult to identify precisely the number of officials who will be dealing with Freedom of Information issues from 1 January 2005, since it is potentially part of every civil servant's role to respond to Freedom of Information requests.

Freedom of Information

Llew Smith: To ask the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans the Department has to publicise the opportunities available to obtain information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 after it enters into force on 1 January 2005.

David Lammy: Statutory responsibility for raising awareness of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act rests with the Information Commissioner's Office. The Commissioner's Office, which is independent of Government, has a programme of awareness raising events planned.
	The Government is committed to ensuring that the public can realise the benefits of the Act. Accordingly, in addition to the Information Commissioner's publicity activity my Department has been leading a variety of awareness raising activities. In the run-up to implementation of FOI, DCA Ministers are undertaking a programme of speeches, media interviews and articles which commenced in the autumn and is due to continue in 2005 to raise FOI awareness.
	The Government's FOI website, www.foi.gov.uk, is continually updated with FOI information and carries instructions on how to make an FOI request. My Department has also begun a programme of distributing 220,000 posters and 1.4 million leaflets to outlets visited by the public, for example public libraries, jobcentres and citizens advice bureaux. The posters will be in English and Welsh and the leaflets will be in English and 11 other languages including Welsh, in Braille and on audio cassette.
	All Government Departments and public authorities proactively release information to the public as part of their Publication Schemes (which are a requirement under the Freedom of Information Act) to support greater ongoing openness and raise awareness of rights under the Freedom of Information Act.

Freedom of Information

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidance the Government have issued to local government on the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act.

David Lammy: Throughout 2004, the Department for Constitutional Affairs has produced a number of publications to assist all public authorities in their preparations for full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act. This included a Model Action Plan, outlining the steps public authorities should take to prepare for the Act; a Training Guide, containing recommendations for Freedom of Information training; a generic user specification for IT Freedom of Information monitoring systems; and a Countdown to Implementation guide, produced jointly with the Information Commissioner and the National Audit Office, outlining final steps public authorities should take to prepare for the Freedom of Information Act.
	In preparing this package of guidance, The Department for Constitutional Affairs worked closely with the Office of the Information Commissioner which has also issued its own guidance specifically aimed at all public authorities.
	These publications represent one part of the Department for Constitutional Affairs' guidance and advice on implementation that is available on the Department's Freedom of Information website (www.foi.gov.uk) that serves as a useful reference tool for all public authorities.

Freedom of Information

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidance the Department issues on whether the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 will cover internal correspondence, in writing or email, (a) within political groups on local authorities and (b) between political assistants and their political group on local authorities.

David Lammy: The Freedom of Information Act provides a right of access to information held by public authorities. Under section 3 of the Act, information is not held by a public authority if it is held on behalf of another person.
	The Information Commissioner's Office have issued an Awareness Guide (Awareness Guide 12) which provides advice on when information is held for the purposes of Freedom of Information.

Legal Aid

Tom Cox: To ask the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the total cost of legal aid awards within the Greater London area has been in each of the last five years.

David Lammy: The figures presented here are estimates of legal aid expenditure within Greater London based on the geographical location of courts and offices administering and paying legal aid in the area.
	
		 million
		
			  Amount 
		
		
			 200304 705 
			 200203 640 
			 200102 584 
			 200001(32) 522 
		
	
	(32) The figure for 200001 does not include residual costs paid to legal aid suppliers for criminal matters who did not subsequently enter into a contract when contracts were introduced.
	Estimates for 19992000 have not been included as the Legal Services Commission's system for payments underwent a significant change when they introduced contracting in 2000 and comparable estimates can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mental Capacity Bill

Brian Iddon: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs when he intends to respond to the Joint Committee on Human Rights' reports on the Mental Capacity Bill, with particular reference to the questions in appendix 1 of the Twenty-Third Report of session 200304.

David Lammy: The Government's response will be available on my Department's website as soon as possible.
	The response covers a wide range of issues, including advance decisions. I announced on 14 December that the Government would amend the Mental Capacity Bill to require advance decisions on life sustaining treatment to be written and witnessed.

Parliamentary Questions

Vincent Cable: To ask the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what target his Department sets for the maximum acceptable time to respond in full to a parliamentary question; and what percentage of answers given by his Department failed to meet this target in each parliamentary session from 199798 to 200304.

David Lammy: My Department aims to ensure that Members receive a substantive response to their Named Day question on the named day and endeavour to answer Ordinary Written questions within a working week of being tabled. Unfortunately, this is not always possible but my Department makes every effort to achieve these time scales.
	We are unable to give accurate figures in each parliamentary session from 199798 to 200203 without incurring disproportionate cost. In the 200304 session, 62 per cent. of parliamentary questions (PQs), including Named Day, were answered within these time scales and 100 per cent. of PQs were answered by the end of the session.

Senior Women

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many women there are in senior positions in his Department.

David Lammy: The Cabinet Office collects and publishes annually statistical information on the civil service by Department. This includes data on the number of women in senior positions in Departments.
	The latest available information as at April 2004 is available in the Library and on the civil service website at the following address: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_information/statistical_information/statistics/publications/xls/gender apr04 4nov04.xls

Official Documents

Norman Baker: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will list the criteria used to decide which documents and files should be shredded; and what mechanism exists to ensure that documents and files are not destroyed for other reasons.

Christopher Leslie: The Department for Constitutional Affairs keeps records for as long as they are needed for administrative and business purposes. Records of enduring historical value are selected for permanent preservation under the guidance and supervision of the National Archives on the basis of guidelines which are published on the National Archives website at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/recordsmanagement/advice/

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether departmental special advisers have written to external (a) bodies and (b) individuals in their official capacity since May 1997.

David Lammy: All special advisers' contacts with external bodies and organisations are undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

Working Time Regulations

Graham Brady: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many officials working in ministerial private offices in the Department have worked more than a 48 hour week at any time in the last 12 months for which figures are available; how many of those had signed a waiver under working time regulations; and what percentage these figures represented of the total in each case.

David Lammy: The number of ministerial private office staff in the Department for Constitutional Affairs who have worked more than a 48 hour week at any time in the last 12 months is 44, and of these 100 per cent. have signed an opt out agreement.

SCOTLAND

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hours of staff time were taken up in preparation of Christmas cards in 2004.

Anne McGuire: The information requested is not available because the preparation of Christmas cards is a routine administrative task in which the minimal staff time involved is not recorded.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many departmental staff have responsibility for preparing Christmas cards.

Anne McGuire: The preparation of Christmas cards in the Scotland Office is co-ordinated by one member of staff for whom it is one of a number of routine duties.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of official departmental Christmas cards included a contribution to charity in their cost; and which charities benefited from such a contribution.

Anne McGuire: The cost of the Scotland Office 2004 Christmas card does not include a contribution to any charity.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the cost of postage was for official departmental Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Anne McGuire: The postage costs for official Christmas cards issued by the Scotland Office and the Offices of the Advocate General were (a) 164 in 2003 and (b) 182 in 2004.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the cost was of purchasing official departmental Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Anne McGuire: The purchase of official Christmas cards for the Scotland Office and the Offices of the Advocate General cost (a) 679 in 2003 and (b) 687 in 2004.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many official Christmas cards were sent out by his Department in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Anne McGuire: The Scotland Office and the Offices of the Advocate General issued (a) 820 official Christmas cards in 2003 and (b) 865 such cards in 2004.

Engagements

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list his official engagements over the last six months; who was present at each meeting; what the (a) date and (b) location was of each meeting; what issues were discussed; and what plans he has to establish a public register of such information.

Anne McGuire: Ministers meet many individuals and organisations and attend many functions relating to Government business and as part of the process of policy development. To provide the detailed information requested would incur disproportionate cost. The daily on-the-record briefing by the Prime Minister's official spokesman regularly provides details of Ministers' public engagements.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004 departmental special advisers travelled (a) domestically and (b) abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost.

Anne McGuire: Details of the places visited by Scotland Office special advisers within the UK are not held separately and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, in the year to 31 March 2004, the total cost of travel by special advisers within the UK was 16,841; most of this relates to travel between Scotland and London. In the same period, no special advisers travelled abroad in an official capacity.
	All travel by special advisers is undertaken in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

Staff Training Courses

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the (a) cost to the Department, (b) title and (c) location was of each training course organised by his Department for its staff in each financial year since 199798.

Anne McGuire: The Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999. The Scottish Executive and the Department for Constitutional Affairs provide training and development opportunities for Scotland Office staff.
	The Office does not hold information in the form requested; the total direct expenditure on training was:
	
		
		
			 Financial year Expenditure 
		
		
			 19992000 10,486 
			 200001 21,346 
			 200102 20,755 
			 200203 38,858 
			 200304 33,008

Staff Training Courses

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial penalties were paid in each financial year since 199798 to training providers by the Department for training courses prepared for its staff which were subsequently cancelled at the Department's request.

Anne McGuire: Most staff training is delivered by the DCA or the Scottish Executive and the information is therefore not available in the form requested.

Video Conferencing

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many video conferencing units are installed in the Department; what percentage of offices have these facilities in each case; and what plans there are to increase the number.

Anne McGuire: The Scotland Office has video conferencing facilities at its offices in Edinburgh and London. We shall shortly be considering proposals to upgrade these facilities.

CABINET OFFICE

Minister for Children

Eleanor Laing: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent discussions he has had with the Minister for Children about policy co-ordination.

Alan Milburn: Since my appointment as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, I have had a range of official meetings including meetings with ministerial colleagues relating to my cross-Government role in the co-ordination of Government policy; my responsibilities for the work of the Strategy Unit and the Policy Directorate; my Duchy of Lancaster role; and my membership of Cabinet.

Strategy Unit

David Cairns: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress he has made in implementing recommendations from Strategy Unit reports since he took up his post.

Alan Milburn: The implementation of the recommendations from Strategy Unit Government reports are taken forward by the relevant Department or Departments.
	However, key recommendations from the most recent work of the Strategy Unit which have been implemented include:
	The creation of the Assets Recovery Agency to seize the assets of criminals.
	The creation of at least 250,000 new child care places by 200506.

Trade and Industry

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent discussions about policy co-ordination he has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

Alan Milburn: Since my appointment as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, I have had a range of official meetings including meetings with Cabinet colleagues relating to my cross-Government role in the co-ordination of Government policy; my responsibilities for the work of the Strategy Unit and the Policy Directorate; my Duchy of Lancaster role; and my membership of Cabinet.

Civil Service (Ethnic Minorities)

Ben Chapman: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on ethnic minority representation in the Civil Service.

David Miliband: As at April 2004, 8.2 per cent. of staff across the Civil Service came from ethnic minority backgrounds, higher than the 7.3 per cent. in the United Kingdom economically active population.
	There is still under-representation at senior levels, but we have doubled the proportion of staff from minority ethnic backgrounds since 1998, from 1.6 per cent. to 3.3 per cent. We have set new targets as part of the recent Spending Round to ensure we sustain and accelerate progress.

Civil Service (Pensions)

David Stewart: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the Government's proposed reform of Civil Service pensions, with particular reference to the effects on lower earners.

David Miliband: The document Building a sustainable future sets out the Cabinet Office's proposals for changes to the Civil Service pension arrangements. It also initiates a consultation exercise with scheme members, the Civil Service unions and employers. The proposed arrangements will be fairer between civil servants. Lower earners are one of the groups who are likely to benefit.

Freedom of Information

Julian Lewis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether it is the policy of the Department to retain for the benefit of future (a) historians and (b) applicants under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the same (i) complete categories of files, (ii) numbers of files and (iii) representative examples of files from categories of files destroyed as had been preserved prior to the passage of that Act.

David Miliband: holding answer 8 December 2004
	In accordance with the Public Records Act 1958 S.3, the selection of records of enduring historical value for permanent preservation at the National Archives (TNA) will continue to take place in the Cabinet Office under the guidance and supervision of TNA staff. The Department will also comply with the Code of Practice on Records Management, issued by the Lord Chancellor under S.46 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which underlines the importance of having clear selection policies and disposal schedules in place.

Freedom of Information

Julian Lewis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what changes have been promulgated in each of the past five years to the guidelines or other criteria for the retention or destruction of departmental files.

David Miliband: holding answer 8 December 2004
	Since 1999, the Cabinet Office has produced 79 schedules for the disposal of records which are specific to the Department's administrative activities. Departmental records are also disposed of in accordance with over 20 guidance notes produced by the National Archives (TNA) over the last five years, including guidance on disposal schedules. Further details of this guidance can be found on TNA's website at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/recordsmanagement/advice.

Ministerial Pension Scheme

David Willetts: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if the Ministerial Pension Scheme will participate in the Pension Protection Fund.

Malcolm Wicks: I have been asked to reply.
	It is our intention that schemes which were exempt from the Minimum Funding Requirement provisions under the 1995 Pensions Act will not be eligible for the Pension Protection Fund. We would expect therefore that the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund, which provides pension benefits for MPs and Ministers, will not participate in the Pension Protection Fund.

Mr. Andy Hurdle

Julian Lewis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office for what reasons Mr. Andy Hurdle moved from his post in 2002 in the Department for Education and Skills into his subsequent posts.

Stephen Twigg: I have been asked to reply.
	It is not our policy to comment on the position of individual civil servants.

Mr. Jonathan Sedgwick

Julian Lewis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office for what reason Mr. Jonathan Sedgwick moved from his post in the Home Secretary's office to his subsequent post.

Charles Clarke: I have been asked to reply.
	The previous Principal Private Secretary left the Home Secretary's office in October 2004 on promotion to Director of Performance and Planning, Office of Criminal Justice Reform, following a cross Whitehall and external competition.

Ms Denise Maguire

Julian Lewis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office for what reasons Ms Denise Maguire moved from her post in the Department for Education and Skills to each of her subsequent posts.

Stephen Twigg: I have been asked to reply.
	It is not our policy to comment on the position of individual civil servants.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether Cabinet Office special advisers have made appearances before parliamentary Select Committees in their official capacity since May 1997.

David Miliband: No Cabinet Office special advisers have appeared before parliamentary Select Committees since 1997.

Special Advisers

George Osborne: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many special advisers there are in the Cabinet Office, broken down by Civil Service pay-grade.

David Miliband: Details on the names and number of special advisers by pay band by department are published on annual basis. For information for the financial year 200304, I refer the hon. Member to the statement given by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, on 22 July 2004, Official Report, column 466W.
	Information for 200405 will be published as soon as it is ready after the end of the current financial year.

Task Forces

Julian Lewis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much the Cabinet Office spent on taskforces and similar bodies in each year since 1997.

David Miliband: holding answer 20 December 2004
	Departmental expenditure for the financial years 19972002 for the Better Regulation Task Force (BRTF), an advisory non-departmental public body sponsored by the Cabinet Office, is published in the annual publication, 'Public Bodies' which is available in the Library of the House.
	The BRTF expenditure for:
	200203: 517,000
	200304: 508,000
	Annual expenditure on short-term ad hoc groups, task forces and reviews set up by the Cabinet Office is subsumed within departmental running costs and is not separately identifiable.

TRANSPORT

Airports (South-East)

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contingency plans he has prepared for the outcome of the judicial review of the consultation process on airports in the south east.

Charlotte Atkins: Department for Transport officials and lawyers are evaluating the risks and potential impacts of the Judicial Reviews on the Air Transport White Paper and will provide advice to Ministers following the judgment. We do not expect a judgment until spring 2005.

Parking Charges

Marsha Singh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes there have been in the total charges for parking raised by local authorities since 1997.

Charlotte Atkins: In 199798 the total parking income raised by local authorities in England was approximately 638 million. The latest figures are for 200203 when it was just over 966 million.

South Eastern Trains

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the performance of the South East Trains franchise over the past year.

Tony McNulty: South Eastern Trains performance has improved over the last year rising from an annual average of 78.7 per cent. of trains arriving on time at September 2003 to 82.2 per cent. at September 2004.

Railways

John MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what efficiency savings his Department expects to make in respect of its responsibilities for the railways; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Darling: This Government have committed record investment in the railwayssome 73 million per week (3.8 billion per annum). The 2004 Periodic Review by the Rail Regulator ties Network Rail into achieving 31 per cent. efficiency gains by 2009 and we need to make similar efforts in relation to the franchise elements of the railway, and also in the transfer of SRA functions into my own Department.

Gatwick Express

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the future of the Gatwick Express.

Alistair Darling: The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has just completed consultation on its Route Utilisation Strategy for the Brighton Main Line including Gatwick Express services. An announcement on the future pattern of services on the line will be made once all the responses have been considered.

Ports

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage the development of small ports.

David Jamieson: The Government recognise that even small ports have the potential to play a significant role in their local and regional economies. Our ports policy provides a basis for all ports to exploit opportunities for development. Government Office and the Regional Development Agencies have a proven track record in working with ports in their regions.

Mobile Telephone Use

Lawrie Quinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on research he has evaluated on the use of hands-free mobile telephones in moving vehicles.

David Jamieson: There has been a considerable amount of research looking into the effects of mobile phones on driving. The Department commissioned RoSPA to review the evidence and the report they published in 2002 provides evidence that using any type of mobile phone while driving impairs driving performance and significantly increases the risk of a crash, as highlighted in our publicity campaigns.

A3

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the start date is for work on the A3 improvement at Hindhead.

David Jamieson: The Highways Agency's Press Release 079/04 classifies the A3 Hindhead scheme as a Regional Scheme to be progressed for future construction (beyond March 2008). The main works are programmed to start in the financial year 200809 but it would be the Highways Agency's intention to make a start on advance works in 200708 subject to the availability of funds.

A3

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will visit the A3 at Hindhead to meet local residents and travellers to hear their concerns.

David Jamieson: It would not be appropriate for me to visit because the Public Inquiry is still in progress and I will be involved in the decision making process.

A3

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last had discussions with the Highways Agency about the A3 at Hindhead.

David Jamieson: The Secretary of State recently considered the relative priority of the A3 Hindhead improvement alongside other national and local transport schemes in the South East region. The conclusions from these discussions were set out in the press notice issued on 1 December, which confirmed the progression of the scheme subject to the outcome of the current public inquiry.

A3

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he anticipates (a) receiving and (b) making a decision on the Public Inquiry report on the A3 at Hindhead.

David Jamieson: The Public Inquiry has recently been adjourned to 15 February 2005 although it is hoped that it can be concluded soon after it reconvenes. It is hoped that the Inspector's Report will be received in Spring/Summer 2005 with a joint decision of the First Secretary of State, the Secretary of State for Transport and Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs later in 2005.

A3

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what public expenditure has been (a) made in the past 10 years and (b) planned for the next three years for the A3 Hindhead Tunnel scheme.

David Jamieson: No work was undertaken on the scheme between 1994 and 1999. From 1999 to date the cost is approximately 12.3 million. 16.5 million is forecast to be spent in the next three years to get the scheme ready to commence main works in 200809.

A3

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the traffic volumes on the A3 at Hindhead were in (a) 1984 and (b) the most recent period for which figures are available; and if he will estimate volumes in 10 years time.

David Jamieson: The forecast traffic flows for the A3 Punchbowl Bend at Hindhead, without the tunnel scheme in place, nearest to the periods requested are:
	(a) 12800 AADT (1983 estimated flow)
	(b) 27000 AADT (2002)
	(c) There are no forecasts calculated for 10 years time. However, forecasts for the A3 without the tunnel scheme in 2009 and 2024 are 31000 AADT and 38000 AADT respectively

A30

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the estimated cost is of resurfacing the A30 between Honiton and Exeter as a priority under the criteria announced on 17 October 2001; and whether the cost will be borne by his Department.

David Jamieson: The estimated cost of applying quieter surfacing to this section of concrete road is 9.5 million, based on today's costs. The Department will pay for this work.
	The Highways Agency will also be discussing with the DBFO Company the level of additional future costs arising from the resurfacing of the road, which will also be borne by the Department.

A31/A35

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress of the implementation by the Highways Agency of the recommendations made in the Hyder Route Management Study of the A31/A35, with particular reference to Morecombelake, Chideock, Winterbourne Abbas and Bridport.

David Jamieson: The Route Management Study carried out between 200204 recommended that more detailed studies be carried out in a number of communities along the A30/A35/A31 to develop proposals to address community issues, including safety, severance, accessibility, noise and air quality. The studies covering Morecombelake, Chideock, Winterbourne Abbas and Bridport have now been completed.
	The detailed studies recommended numerous minor improvement works and the design of these is progressing. Works have already been completed at Sea Road South in Bridport and a pedestrian crossing is due to be installed at Chideock in the new year. Design work on further improvements at Sea Road South, Bridport is underway with a view to commencing work in 200506.
	The recommendations for Morecombelake and Winterbourne Abbas are being reviewed as part of the Highways Agency's prioritisation procedures, and will be the subject of further consideration.
	The carrying out of the improvements identified in the detailed studies is subject to the availability of funding.

A34

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies he has commissioned of the (a) capacity of the A34, (b) projected traffic volumes and (c) case for adding additional lanes.

David Jamieson: A scoping study to review the key issues affecting the A34 North of Southampton Corridor and assess the case for further study work was completed earlier this year. This work did consider the capacity of the A34 and projected traffic volumes, as well as issues of rail capacity and the planned distribution of land uses.
	Ministers will respond to the study in due course.
	The Highways Agency is also carrying out a Route Management Strategy for the A34 which is looking at general management of the A34 trunk road in the short to medium term, and to identify small scale solutions to capacity issues over a 10 year time frame. The final report is expected to be published in spring 2005.

A40

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has commissioned of the (a) capacity of the A40, (b) projected traffic volumes and (c) case for extending dual carriageways in heavily used sections.

David Jamieson: The A40 is a local road. As such it is the responsibility of the Local Highway Authority and it is for them to undertake any such studies.

Aircraft Air

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the Civil Aviation Authority will classify as a major defect all instances of smoke or fumes in the aircraft cabin that adversely affect the quality of cabin air.

Charlotte Atkins: The Civil Aviation Authority does not use the term Major Defect in its classification of occurrences. Reported instances of smoke or fumes in the cabin vary from a transitory, unidentified smell to visible smoke and fumes. The Authority has no plans to classify all such occurrences as high severity.

Aircraft Air

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory tested the engine oil Exxon Mobil Jet Oil II for a complete analysis of its ortho isomers of the organophosphate trichloropyridinol present in the oil when conducting research for the Civil Aviation Authority Safety Regulatory Group's Cabin Air Quality Paper 200404.

Charlotte Atkins: The Civil Aviation Authority, when commissioning the analysis of engine/APU oil constituents by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, did not ask it to check for the presence of ortho isomers of the organophosphate trichloropyrindinol.

Alderley Edge Bypass

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the future funding of the Alderley Edge bypass.

Charlotte Atkins: The Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley Bypass was provisionally approved in 2001 under the Local Transport Programme. As part of the Spending Review 2004 and in light of our proposals for devolved decision making, as set out in the consultation document Devolving decision making: A consultation on regional funding allocations, we have decided this bypass should be one of the schemes remitted to the region for advice on its priority for funding within the available resources.
	Under the proposals in the document, the North West Regional Assembly and the North West Development Agency would advise on the relative priority of this scheme alongside other transport proposals in the region in the light of long term regional funding guidelines. These bodies would be expected to consult widely within the region, including with local transport authorities, in framing their advice on priorities. A final decision on the timetable for funding the scheme will be made in the light of this advice.

Bendy Buses

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has carried out into the road safety implications of the use of bendy buses.

David Jamieson: The Department has not carried out any specific research on bendy buses.
	However, the safety of these and other vehicles, including other types of large passenger-carrying vehicles, continue to be monitored through ongoing studies which collect data on injuries sustained by casualties of road traffic accidents.
	To date, no issues specific to bendy buses have been identified.

Departmental Events

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the (a) conferences, (b) seminars, (c) workshops, (d) exhibitions and (e) press conferences which have been sponsored by his Department and which took place on non-departmental premises in each of the last two years; giving the (i) title, (ii) purpose, (iii) date and (iv) cost of each.

Charlotte Atkins: The Department communicates where appropriate with organisations through conferences, seminars, workshops and exhibitions and holds internal events in the course of normal management. A table which lists events held on non-departmental premises during the period from the formation of the Department in May 2002 to the end of March 2004, has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many hours of staff time were taken up in preparation of Christmas cards in 2004;
	(2)  how many departmental staff have responsibility for preparing Christmas cards;
	(3)  what percentage of official departmental Christmas cards included a contribution to charity in their cost; and which charities benefited from such a contribution;
	(4)  what the cost of postage was for official departmental Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004;
	(5)  what the cost was of purchasing official departmental Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004;
	(6)  how many official Christmas cards were sent out by his Department in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Charlotte Atkins: The information requested is set out in the following two tables.
	
		Department for Transport Christmas Card 2004
		
			  Cards Cost () Postage Staff time Staff Charity Percentage 
		
		
			 Central Department(33) 1,650 2,114 Not separately identified 4 hours 1 Lifeboats 100 
			 Highways Agency(34) No card   
			 Maritime and Coastguard  Agency(35) 20,250 5,902 Not separately identified Not available 2 No charitable contribution  
			 Vehicle and Operator Services  Agency 230 309 Not separately identified 5 hours 1 Cystic Fibrosis Trust 100 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency(34) No card   
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing  Agency 4,000 3,465 840 7 hours 1 Multi-charity 100 
			 Driving Standards Agency 1,000 1,034 210 14 hours 1 Multi-charity 100 
		
	
	
		Department for Transport Christmas Card 2003
		
			  Cards Cost () Postage 
		
		
			 Central Department(33) 1,300 2,055 Not separately identified 
			 Highways Agency 4,080 3,930 1,100 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 13,750 4,865 Not separately identified 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 230 282 Not separately identified 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 150 174 Not separately identified 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency(36) Not available   
			 Driving Standards Agency 1,500 2,009 300 
		
	
	Central Department
	(33) In both 2003 and 2004 the DfT Board decided against having an official departmental card for the central Department. The information given is for procurement of the ministerial Christmas card and the number of cards that is given reflects the number that were ordered. It is not possible to separate out postage costs from regular mail, although the policy is to mainly use second class. The number of staff hours is based on drafting a submission to the Secretary of State, consulting the Board, procuring the card and clearing the proofs with private office.
	Agencies
	(34) The Highways Agency and the Vehicle Certification Agency did not have a card in 2004.
	(35) The information for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for 2004 includes a Christmas card sent out as part of a fishing safety campaign.
	(36) The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency does not have information for 2003.

Departmental Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost was of (a) in-house canteen and (b) other catering services provided by his Department in each of the last two years.

Charlotte Atkins: DfT incur no direct costs from in-house canteens as such facilities that do exist are contracted out and provided without subsidy. We may incur indirect contract management, accommodation and energy costs but these cannot be identified separately without disproportionate cost.
	We are able to provide other catering information regarding the costs of hospitality. DfT Central comprising DfT HQ in London and Hastings, the Air Accidents and Marine Accidents Investigation Branches and the Mobility Advice and Vehicle Information Service incurred 216,000 on hospitality in 200203 and 214,000 in 200304. The six DfT Agencies spent 515,000 in 200203 and 557,000 in 200304.

Departmental Expenditure

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent by his Department on (a) indoor bought plants, (b) indoor hired plants, (c) outdoor bought plants and (d) outdoor hired plants in each year since 1997.

Charlotte Atkins: The Department for Transport was formed in May 2002 and as a result the information provided relates to the period from 200203 until 200304. The details of the costs incurred on plants in DfT are either not separately recorded in the accommodation expenditure records or there was nil expenditure. The only information we have is an estimated cost of 3,244 for the cost of re-planting the main reception areas of the DfT Headquarters Great Minster House in October 2003.

Departmental Files

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether it is the policy of the Department to retain for the benefit of future (a) historians and (b) applicants under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the same (i) complete categories of files, (ii) numbers of files and (iii) representative examples of files from categories of files destroyed, as had been preserved prior to the passage of that Act.

Charlotte Atkins: In accordance with the Public Records Act 1958 S.3, the selection of records of enduring historical value for permanent preservation at The National Archives (TNA) will continue to take place in the Department under the guidance and supervision of TNA staff. The Department will also comply with the Code of Practice on Records Management, issued by the Lord Chancellor under S.46 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which underlines the importance of having clear selection policies and disposal schedules in place.

Departmental Files

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many departmental files have been destroyed in each of the past five years.

Charlotte Atkins: The Department was formed in May 2002. The records management service for the Department is provided by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Actual numbers of files destroyed each year prior to 2004 could be provided only at disproportionate cost but an informed estimate for ODPM and DfT is as follows:
	200223,500; 200320,800; 2004 (to 6 December)53,252. A further 23,400 files are awaiting destruction.
	Figures for DfT's Executive Agencies, which are not included in the above, are as follows:
	20029,925; 200315,616; 2004 (to 15 December)13,520.
	Records are destroyed, in accordance with the Department's selection and disposal policy, when they come to the end of their retention period and they are not required for permanent preservation. There has been an increase in the number of files destroyed in the last year to remove a backlog that had developed in the previous two years due to machinery of Government changes, the closure of the Hayes Records Repository.

Departmental Files

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes have been promulgated in each of the past five years to the guidelines or other criteria for the retention or destruction of departmental files.

Charlotte Atkins: Since May 2002, when the Department for Transport was formed, 85 schedules have been put in place for the disposal of records which are specific to its administrative activities. It also disposes of its records in accordance with over 20 guidance notes produced by The National Archives (TNA) over the last five years, covering disposal schedules, managing records in the electronic environment, as well as overarching records management guidance. Further details of this guidance can be found on TNA's website at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/recordsmanagement/advice

Department Staff

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many of the staff employed by his Department have a declared disability;
	(2)  how many women there are in senior positions in his Department.

Charlotte Atkins: The Cabinet Office collects and publishes annually statistical information on the Civil Service by Department. These include data on the number of women in senior positions in Departments and on the number of staff who have a declare disability.
	The latest available information at April 2004 is available in the Library and on the Civil Service website and the following addresses. http://www.civilservice. gov.uk/management_information/statistical_information/ statistics/publications/xls/gender_apr04_4nov04.xls http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/managementinformation/statistical_information/statistics/publications/xls/disability_apr04_4nov04.xls

Driving Bans (Medical Conditions)

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to oblige (a) opticians and (b) medical practitioners to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency of patients whose medical conditions should prevent them from driving.

David Jamieson: The current licensing system places a legal obligation on the applicant/licence holder to notify DVLA of any medical condition, including defective eyesight, which may affect their fitness to drive. While doctors and opticians have a duty of care first and foremost to their patients, they also have a duty to the general public. On this basis, they are already under an obligation under certain circumstances to report to DVLA instances where they consider a patient poses a risk to road safety. This is supported by the guidelines issued to doctors by the General Medical Council (GMC) and by the College of Optometry's Guidelines on Professional Practice.

Dualling

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which stretches of trunk road between Portsmouth and (a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick and (c) Manchester airports have not been dualled.

David Jamieson: (a) Between Portsmouth and Heathrow airport (via A3 and A25) the only section of trunk road that has not been dualled is on the A3 through Hindhead.
	(b) Between Portsmouth and Gatwick airport (via A27 and A23) the only sections of trunk road that have not been dualled are on the A27 at Arundel and Worthing.
	(c) Between Portsmouth and Manchester airport the only section of trunk road that has not been dualled (in addition to the A3 through Hindhead) is on the A556 between the M6 Junction 19 and M56 junction 8.

First Group

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has had regarding the punctuality and reliability of First Group's buses.

Charlotte Atkins: In the current year the Department centrally has received at least 16 letters directly from members of the public, and one from an hon. Member on behalf of a constituent, about the punctuality or reliability of bus services operated by First subsidiary companies. The matter has also been raised in debates in this House, notably by my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Blackley (Mr. Stringer) Official Report, 17 May 2004, column 794 and my hon. Friend the Member for Pudsey (Mr. Truswell) Official Report, 1 April 2004, column 1841 in relation to First subsidiaries in their constituencies. Complaints about bus services are also received by the traffic area offices of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.
	In this context a service is unreliable if it fails to appear at all, and unpunctual if it runs unacceptably early or late compared with the registered timetable.
	The Department is concerned about standards of bus punctuality in general. There are many causes, some within and some outside the operator's control. The Bus Partnership Forum, representing operators, central and local government, has recently approved new measures to encourage operators and local authorities to work together to improve punctuality standards, in particular through Bus Punctuality Improvement Partnerships.

Freedom of Information

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff in his Department were employed to deal with Freedom of Information Act 2000 issues in (a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2003 and (d) 2004; and how many staff are budgeted to deal with Freedom of Information Act 2000 issues in (i) 2005 and (ii) 2006.

Charlotte Atkins: The Department for Transport was formed in May 2002. The numbers of staff (full-time equivalents) in DfT and its agencies employed, or budgeted, to deal with Freedom of Information Act 2000 issues, in the years mentioned, are as follows:
	
		
			  Number of staff 
		
		
			 2002 3.4 
			 2003 6 
			 2004 25.95 
			 2005 25.55 
			 2006 23.55 
		
	
	Beyond those staff directly involved in the ongoing implementation and application of FOI within the Department, it is difficult to identify precisely the number of officials who will be dealing with Freedom of Information issues from 1 January 2005, since it is potentially part of every civil servant's role to respond to Freedom of Information requests.

Freight (Points of Entry)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport through how many points of entry by (a) sea and (b) air commercial freight can enter the UK; and which agency is responsible for (i) the control of hazardous or toxic materials and (ii) the supervision of workers on ships and aircraft using documents of identity other than passports and visas.

David Jamieson: Freight can be landed at any of the more than 600 port facilities in the UK, although commercial traffic is concentrated in some 50 ports with over one million tonnes of traffic per annum. However, commercial freight could be landed at almost any suitable point. Similarly, commercial freight by air could be landed at any suitable landing strip but in practice the majority passes through approximately 20 major airports.
	The UK competent authority for the transport of dangerous goods (including toxic and otherwise hazardous substances) by sea is the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and by air is the Civil Aviation Authority. Once off-loaded from the means of transport to the shore/land side, dangerous goods enforcement becomes the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive.
	Workers (crew) on ships or aircraft entering the UK are subject to the usual controls set by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of the Home Office. Workers going on board aircraft from the landside are subject to controls set by the Transport Security and Contingency Directorate of the Department for Transport. Ships that are engaged in international voyages are all required to have a ship security plan approved by their flag administration. These plans include access control arrangements.

Gender Pay Gap

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the gender pay gap among staff in his Department.

Charlotte Atkins: All departments and agencies were committed to completing an equal pay review and action plan by the end of April 2003. Within DfT, the Central Department and Agencies, as separate units, completed their individual equal pay reviews and action plans within the given timescale.

Invoice Payment

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average length of time was between the date of invoices issued to his Department from a supplier and payment by the Department of the invoice in the last 12 months for which figures are available; what percentage of these invoices were paid within 30 days of the date of issue of the invoice; what percentage of these invoices remained unpaid after 90 days; and if he will make a statement on the Department's policy on the payment of invoices issued to it.

Charlotte Atkins: The Department for Transport was formed in May 2002. The Department does not hold details of the date invoices are issued. However, it does hold data relating to the date invoices are received. The average length of time between the date of receipt of invoices from supplier and payment of the invoice in the last 12 months is 16.5 days.
	The percentage of invoices paid within 30 days of the date of receipt of the invoice for the last 12 months is 98.27 per cent.
	The percentage of invoices that remain unpaid after 90 days in the last 12 months is 0.24 per cent.
	The policy in the Department for Transport is that all valid invoices should be paid within 30 days from receipt. The target in DfT for 200405 is to pay 98 per cent. of valid invoices within 30 days of receipt. This target and progress on achieving it is monitored every month.

IT (Disciplinary Procedures)

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff in his Department have (a) received official warnings and (b) faced disciplinary procedures following breaches of IT policy in each year since 1997.

Charlotte Atkins: The Department for Transport was established in May 2002 following machinery of Government changes. A new policy was introduced dealing with the use/misuse of the Department's ICT resources. This policy has been brought to the attention of staff in a Departmental Bulletin and is contained in the Departmental Staff Handbook.
	One member of staff has faced disciplinary procedures following inappropriate use of IT equipment in 2003.

Light Rail Schemes

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what support his Department plans to give to light rail schemes.

Tony McNulty: All bids for light rail schemes will be considered on the basis of their value for money, wider benefits, and affordability.

Older Drivers

Michael Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of car drivers over the age of 65 years in England.

David Jamieson: According to the National Travel Survey, in 200203 there were an estimated 4.2 million persons age 65 years and above holding full driving licences.

Paddington Rail Crash

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with the Paddington Survivors' Group on the subject of signals passed at danger.

Tony McNulty: The Secretary of State met with the Paddington Survivors Group on 13 June 2002 and 3 February 2003.
	The Health and Safety Commission (HSC), as the independent rail safety regulator, have published reports showing that 268 of the 295 recommendations (from the Southall, Ladbroke Grove and train protection public inquiries) have been completed. The HSC say that work is already well under way on the outstanding 27 recommendations.

Parliamentary Questions

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many written questions for his Department were unanswered when Parliament prorogued; and how many of the unanswered questions were tabled in each of the previous months of the 200304 Session.

Charlotte Atkins: The effective handling of parliamentary questions is an issue to which I, and ministerial colleagues, attach great importance.
	No Department for Transport written questions remained unanswered when the House prorogued on 18 November.

Pollution

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to reduce levels of pollution caused by public transport vehicles.

David Jamieson: The Department's PowerShift and CleanUp programmesadministered by the Energy Saving Trusthave provided grants towards the cost of converting vehicles to run on cleaner fuels and towards the cost of fitting emission reduction technologies such as particulate traps. To date 6,532 buses, coaches and taxis and have benefited from these programmes.
	In addition, grants funded through the New Vehicle Technology Fund have supported the demonstration of a range of innovative clean, fuel-efficient technologies such as fuel cells and hybrid vehicles. The Bus Service Operators Grant also reimburses to the operator 100 per cent. of the fuel duty paid on gas fuels and bio-diesel, compared with 80 per cent. reimbursement for other fuels.
	Maximum emission levels for carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter are also specified for these vehicles. These requirements are in European Directive 88/77/EC and its amendments and have been in place since 1993. Extra tightening of these standards will take effect from 2005 and will reduce emission limits by 95 per cent. relative to the 1993 limits for particulate matter and 61 per cent. for oxides of nitrogen. A further stage will take effect from 2008 that will reduce the limits for oxides of nitrogen by a further 37 per cent.
	More generally, we are encouraging investment in new buses by means of a target agreed with the bus industry of reducing the average age of the bus fleet to eight years. The industry is on track to achieve this target, meaning that older vehicles with poor emissions performance are being replaced by new, cleaner vehicles.

Halliburton

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many private finance initiative and public private partnership contracts with his Department have been won by subsidiaries of Halliburton in each year since 1997; what the terms were of each contract; and if he will make a statement.

Charlotte Atkins: Only two contracts have been awarded by this Department since 1997. Both were to SPVs (special purpose vehicles) in which a Halliburton subsidiary had a 25 per cent. stake.
	The firsta DBFO (design, build, finance, operate)was awarded in April 2000, for the A13 Thames Gateway (transferred to TfL in July 2000). The Halliburton subsidiary was Halliburton, Brown and Root. The secondalso DBFOwas awarded in February 2003, for the Al Darrington to Dishforth. The Halliburton subsidiary was Kellogg, Brown and Root.

Quangos

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent by his Department in each year since 1997 on task forces and similar bodies.

Charlotte Atkins: It is not possible to provide yearly totals for departmental expenditure on task forces and similar bodies except at disproportionate cost. In many cases the costs are very small (e.g. those relating to small advisory working groups where members are unpaid).
	However, information for some bodies is available: Low Carbon Vehicles Partnership, established in 200304cost 500,000 per annum; Road Strategy Feasibility Study Steering Group in 200304 and 200405total cost 1,500,00.
	Non-departmental public bodies have not been included, since information on these is provided in the annual Cabinet Office publication Public Bodies.

Rail (Car Parking)

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the availability and cost of car parking at terminus and key intermediate stations as a factor in attracting passenger traffic to the West Coast Main Line.

Tony McNulty: The provision of car parking is generally a commercial matter for train operators. However, as part of its strategy for modernisation of the West Coast Main Line route, the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has identified opportunities for car park provision at several key stations (for example Stockport). These findings have been shared with a number of interested parties including train operators and local authorities.

Rail (Car Parking)

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with Network Rail concerning parking charges at Euston mainline station.

Tony McNulty: None. This is an operational matter for Network Rail. I understand that Network Rail's Chairman Ian McAllister wrote to the hon. Member on 14 October on this issue.

Rail (Communications)

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what initiatives he is planning to improve cellular communication coverage on the West Coast Main Line.

Tony McNulty: Neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State nor Network Rail are aware of any such initiatives.

Rail (Journey Times)

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what basis the maximum journey times stated in the public sector requirements for each rail franchise are calculated.

Tony McNulty: Passenger Service Requirement obligations were based on the timetables in operation by British Rail at the time of franchising in 199596.

Rail (Journey Times)

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what percentage the maximum journey time stated in the Public Sector Requirement for rail franchises exceeded journey time (a) as shown in the published timetables immediately prior to the Hatfield rail disaster and (b) in the current timetable.

Tony McNulty: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Passenger service requirements are available from the Strategic Rail Authority by contacting the Public Register Manager on 020 7654 6495. National Rail timetables are published by National Rail and are publicly available.

Rail Services (Industrial Action)

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many trains were rescheduled or cancelled as a result of industrial action on 12 December; and what the estimated financial loss to train operating companies is.

Tony McNulty: This information is not held centrally and is a matter for the train operating companies.

Railway Stations

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funding is available for the re-opening of railway stations on existing lines.

Tony McNulty: No specific allocations have been made in the Department for Transport budget for the re-opening of railway stations on exiting lines. This type of project would be considered to be an enhancement to the railway. In the recent Interim Review of Network Rail's access charges the Rail Regulator has allowed for some 2.1 billion to be spent on enhancements by Network Rail over the next five years. Any proposal for the re-opening of a railway station, which is in addition to that allowed for by the Regulator would have to be assessed in terms of its value for money as well as its affordability within the funds available for rail.

Ring and Ride Scheme

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Ring and Ride scheme; and how much central Government funding has been allocated (a) this year and (b) next year for the scheme.

Charlotte Atkins: holding answer 20 December 2004
	There are two Ring and Ride schemes operating in the Totnes area. In both cases they are funded through a partnership involving the County council, the relevant District council and a local community transport group. The total funding from the partners for 200405 is in the following table:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 Totnes and Dartmouth Ring and Ride 29,335 
			 West Teignbridge Ring and Ride 24,915 
		
	
	This does not include revenue received from fares paid by passengers using the services.
	Decisions have yet to be made by the partners on funding for 200506.
	The only funding available from this Department for the schemes is Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) which reimburses part of the fuel duty paid by the operator. Payments of BSOG are claimed in arrears on a six-monthly or annual basis. So far this financial year the Totnes and Dartmouth scheme has received 877.82p for the six months beginning 1 April. We have not yet received a claim from the West Teignbridge scheme for this year. Payments for 200506 will depend on the amount of fuel used on eligible journeys.

Road Repairs

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will include information on the cost of the outstanding repairs to local and strategic road networks in future national road maintenance condition surveys.

David Jamieson: The national road maintenance condition survey measures trends in the condition of national and local road carriageways, footways and verges on an annual basis. It is not the most appropriate place for trends in the total costs of outstanding repairs to highways, which include bridges and street lighting, to be published.
	Information on outstanding renewals required for local authority street lighting was published in the Department's response to the Transport Select Committee in June this year, based upon robust inventories of the lighting stock and its age and composition. More accurate inventories of the local road and bridge infrastructure stock and condition are now being developed. Along with current research into optimum service levels for the various classes of roads, this will allow better estimates of funding needs to be made in the future.
	The Highways Agency maintains the strategic trunk road network on the basis of minimising whole life cycle maintenance costs. Through technical assessment of condition data, the correct maintenance is identified and carried out at the optimum time for a particular road, ensuring the network is consistently maintained in the required condition. The road renewals budget is targeted to meet this objective, thus avoiding the build up of repair work.

Road Repairs

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will undertake (a) to maintain the strategic road network at optimum level and (b) to eliminate the repair backlog on the local road network by 2010.

David Jamieson: The Highways Agency currently maintains the strategic trunk road network in accordance with minimising whole life cycle maintenance costs while keeping the network in good serviceable condition. Correct application of the whole life cost principle ensures that the road maintenance budget is focussed to keep the condition of the network at the required level.
	It is for local authorities to eliminate the repair backlogs on their roads, although the Department strongly encourages them to do so. In the five years since 200102 the Department has provided 4.2 billion in capital support towards this task. The good progress made by local authorities is shown by the high probability of the deterioration in local roads being halted in 2004, after years of decline.

Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken following the consultation on amendments to the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations which took place in 2003.

David Jamieson: My Department has:
	undertaken additional formal consultation about further amendment of the regulations for abnormal load escort vehicles;
	held meetings with associations representing recovery and breakdown operators, to discuss their request for distinctive lighting;
	carried out research in conjunction with the Highways Agency (HA) to establish appropriate lighting for vehicles used by the new HA Traffic Officers; and
	sought legal advice about making amendments to the Regulations.
	My intention is to proceed to make an amending Statutory Instrument, informed by the 2003 and 2004 formal and informal consultations and by the research results, in the new year.

Signage

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the siting of Tiredness Kills signs.

David Jamieson: Current Department policy is for signs reading Tiredness Can KillTake a Break to be sited on the approaches to some motorway service areas, particularly in areas where there are few other opportunities to stop. They are generally located in advance of the signing for the service area, where drivers are able to stop in a secure place.

Space Technology

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what financial contribution his (a) Department and (b) non-departmental public bodies made to civil space technology in 200405; and what financial provision has been made for the period 200506 to 200910.

David Jamieson: The Department plans to spend the following on civil space activities.
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 200405 7.0 
			 200506 5.0 
			 200607 4.4 
			 200708 4.0 
		
	
	Financial provisions for 200809 and 200910 have not been settled. The Department is not aware of any other financial contributions by non-departmental public bodies or research councils.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if he will list the attributable interviews that his Department's special advisers gave to (a) newspapers, (b) journals, (c) books and (d) other media in their official capacity between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004;
	(2)  if he will list the attributable (a) articles and (b) contributions that his Department's special advisers made to (i) newspapers, (ii) journals, (iii) books and (iv) other media in their official capacity between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004.

Charlotte Atkins: DfT's special advisers have not given any attributable interviews or written any attributable articles or contributions to newspapers, journals, books or other media between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004.
	All special advisers' contacts with the media are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Special Advisers.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004 departmental special advisers travelled (a) domestically and (b) abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost.

Charlotte Atkins: Departmental Special Advisers travelled on two occasions between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004.
	(a) Nottingham126.00
	(b) Holland656.68
	All travel by special advisers is undertaken in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether departmental special advisers have attended meetings with external (a) bodies and (b) individuals, in their official capacity and without Ministers, since May 1997.

Charlotte Atkins: Special Advisers hold meetings with a wide range of external representatives in their official capacity. All such meetings are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints were made by departmental civil servants regarding the conduct of special advisers between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004.

Charlotte Atkins: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 8 December 2004, Official Report, column 578W by my hon. Friend, the Minister for the Cabinet Office

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  whether departmental special advisers have been responsible for authorising instances of departmental spending since May 1997;
	(2)  whether departmental special advisers have given instructions to permanent civil servants without the explicit authorisation of Ministers since May 1997.

Charlotte Atkins: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 16 December 2004, Official Report, columns 1258-59W.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether departmental special advisers have written to external (a) bodies and (b) individuals in their official capacity since May 1997.

Charlotte Atkins: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend, the Minister for the Cabinet Office on Tuesday 14 December 2004, Official Report, column 1004W.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether departmental special advisers have made appearances before parliamentary Select Committees in their official capacity since May 1997.

Charlotte Atkins: The Department was formed 29 May 2002. Since then, no departmental special advisers have made appearances before parliamentary Select Committees in their official capacity.

Strategic Rail Authority

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether a preference exercise will be run in (a) the Strategic Rail Authority and (b) DfT Rail prior to the transfer of work to enable staff to express a preference to take voluntary redundancy or to transfer to the new DfT Rail organisation.

Tony McNulty: Staff in both organisations will be able to express their preferences for posts in the new rail structure within the Department for Transport and for any voluntary severance scheme which their employing organisation may run.

Strategic Rail Authority

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what methods posts in the new DfT Rail organisation within his Department will be filled; and what mechanisms he will put in place to ensure fairness in this process.

Tony McNulty: The Department is consulting on a post-filling strategy with the trade unions. We will abide by the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the public sector (COSOP), which states that the principles of TUPE shall apply.
	Our present intention is that in the first instance, where there is an exact match between existing and future jobs, in both activity and number, post holders will transfer. Where this is not the case, posts will be advertised within current DfT Rail and SRA staff on a level transfer basis. With some exception at senior level, we would not expect to look more widely until all internal options have been exhausted.
	Selection processes will be checked to ensure that they are fair and consistent. Monitoring will continue throughout the exercise for any adverse impact upon different groups.

Strategic Rail Authority

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what mechanisms Strategic Rail Authority staff will be transferred to (a) his Department, (b) Network Rail and (c) the Office of Rail Regulation.

Tony McNulty: The Government's policy as set out in the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice on Public Sector Transfers commits it to apply TUPE principles to these transfers even where TUPE may not apply as a matter of law.
	The Railways Bill will make provision for transfers of staff from the Strategic Rail Authority to other public sector bodies, including the Department for Transport and the Office of Rail Regulation, to be effected by means of transfer schemes. The Strategic Rail Authority and Network Rail are discussing arrangements for the transfer of staff to Network Rail.

Strategic Rail Authority

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport where the organisation which replaces the Strategic Rail Authority will be located.

Tony McNulty: The activities of the SRA that are transferring to the Department for Transport will be organised into a Rail Group within the Department, headed by a Director General. This post has been advertised with a location of London. The detail of exactly where the Group will be located is dependent on the development of an accommodation strategy, accounting for the impact on the wider Department.

Strategic Rail Authority

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how consultations with (a) staff and (b) unions are being carried out concerning the transfer of Strategic Rail Authority staff to (i) his Department, (ii) Network Rail and (iii) the Office of Rail Regulation.

Tony McNulty: The Department for Transport has begun a formal consultation with its Trade Union Side (TUS) on the staff issues raised by the implementation of the Rail Review. Staff are represented by an elected Staff Council with which Strategic Rail Authority management is consulting. This arrangement will continue throughout the implementation period and, where appropriate, involves both staff representative groups in joint meetings.
	A rail cross-sector human resources group has been established to look at the issues associated with the transfer of SRA staff to successor bodies. Both Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation are members of this group. Proposals from this group are the subject of consultation with the TUS and Staff Council.

Thameslink

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Thameslink franchise is due for reletting; if he will take steps to ringfence any net payment by the new franchise holder for reinvestment in services to Thameslink passengers; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Expressions of interest for the new Thameslink/Great Northern franchise were invited on 17 December. The new franchise is planned to commence in 2006. There are no plans to ringfence any net payments.

Transport (West Yorkshire)

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from (a) Leeds city council and (b) West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority on (i) the A65 quality bus scheme, (ii) Kirkstall rail station, (iii) Armley rail station and (iv) additional rolling stock for the (A) Leeds to Harrogate and (B) Leeds to Bradford railway lines.

Charlotte Atkins: I have received a number of representations about rolling stock for use in the north of England, but none relating specifically to the Leeds to Harrogate or Leeds to Bradford lines and none about Kirkstall or Armley rail stations. As regards the A65 quality bus scheme, the only representation I have received has been from my hon. Friend.

Vandalism

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to combat vandalism on public transportation.

Tony McNulty: The Safer Travel on Buses and Coaches Panel has been established to look at ways to combat vandalism, assaults and antisocial behaviour on buses and at bus stops and bus stations. The panel brings together bus operators, local authorities, police, unions, and other stakeholders to exchange and disseminate good practice in tackling problems caused by crime and antisocial behaviour around bus and coach travel.
	The Department also supports the work of the National Route Crime Group which is the cross-industry group set up to steer the rail industry's efforts to reduce the risks posed by trespass and vandalism on the railways. The Group includes representatives from the train operators, Network Rail, the Rail Safety and Standards Board, the British Transport Police, the Health and Safety Executive, the Office of Rail Regulation, Strategic Rail Authority, the Rail Passengers Council and the railway trades unions.
	As part of our work to reduce crime and the fear of crime wherever it occurs in the transport system, last year the Department published a briefing paper on tackling graffiti and vandalism on and around public transport.

HEALTH

Aimspro

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Aimspro treatment for multiple sclerosis; what trials of it have taken place; what the results were; what its current availability is; and what requirements need to be fulfilled before it is available to NHS patients.

Rosie Winterton: Aimspro is a product being developed by Daval International, a United Kingdom company, for a number of indications including multiple sclerosis. Aimspro is still at an early stage of development and the company are conducting or planning to conduct a number of trials in these indications. Further information on the safety, quality and efficacy of Aimspro will be required for this product to progress to licence application. Only very limited clinical data are currently available on Aimspro.
	The standards and requirements necessary for the licensing of medicines are laid out in relevant European and national legislation and guidelines. These require that appropriate standards of quality, safety and efficacy are met. This will include information from Clinical Trials in the population with the disease for which the applicant is applying for a licence. Aimspro, like any other medicinal product, will need to meet these standards in order to be licensed.
	Until such time as a drug is licensed, patients could receive an unlicensed medicine via one of two ways. Firstly, the Medicines Act makes provisions for doctors to prescribe an unlicensed medicine to meet the needs of an individual patient, on their own responsibility where they judge the benefit to the patient is justified and outweighs the risk of the unlicensed product. Secondly, some patients may be eligible to enter clinical trials for drugs in development. In both cases patients should discuss their treatment options with their doctor, who could then advise them on the most appropriate course of action.

Anti-depressants

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions for anti-depressants have been issued in the last 10 years; and what the change in numbers of such prescriptions has been over this period.

Rosie Winterton: Information on the number of prescription items of anti-depressants that have been dispensed in the community in England in each of the last 10 years is shown in the table. The table also includes the average annual percentage change in the number of prescriptions dispensed over the same period for anti-depressants and for all items prescribed.
	
		Number of prescription items (millions) of all antidepressant drugs dispensed in the community in England, 1993 to 2003 -- Items (million)
		
			  Tricyclic and related antidepressant drugs Monoamine-oxidase inhibitors Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors Other anti-depressant drugs Total of all anti-depressants Total of all Prescriptions 
		
		
			 1993 8.4 0.2 1.9 0.3 10.8 445.4 
			 1994 8.6 0.2 2.7 0.3 11.8 456.1 
			 1995 8.9 0.2 3.8 0.4 13.2 473.3 
			 1996 9.1 0.2 5.1 0.6 15.0 484.9 
			 1997 9.4 0.1 6.6 0.8 16.8 500.2 
			 1998 9.6 0.1 7.6 1.1 18.4 513.2 
			 1999 9.6 0.1 8.9 1.4 20.1 529.8 
			 2000 9.7 0.1 10.4 1.8 22.0 551.8 
			 2001 9.8 0.1 12.1 2.4 24.3 587.0 
			 2002 9.8 0.1 13.3 3.1 26.3 617.0 
			 2003 10.0 0.1 13.8 3.8 27.7 649.7 
			 Average annual increase (%) number of items, 1993 to 200322.0  9.9 3.8 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Antidepressants are defined as British National Formulary (BNF) section 4.3 (Antidepressant drugs).
	2. 1993 to 2003 data are based on items and cover prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered in England. It also includes prescriptions written in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man but dispensed in England.
	3. The data do not cover drugs dispensed in hospital or private prescriptions.
	Source:
	Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) data from the Prescription Pricing Authority.

Backlog Maintenance Costs

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the risk-adjusted backlog maintenance cost for the NHS in (a) England and (b) each strategic health authority in each year since 1997.

John Hutton: Estimates can be provided from 19992000 onwards and this information is shown in the table. Insufficient data exists centrally to make estimates prior to that date.
	The estimates are based on the average age of national health service trust buildings. From 200405, the method of calculating backlog costs by trusts will be based on specific data concerning the remaining lives of individual NHS buildings, initially provided by the Valuation Office, and will deliver greater accuracy as a result.
	
		000
		
			 Strategic health authority name 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 24,597 35,245 32,836 24,767 19,584 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 15,902 23,101 20,009 22,835 18,970 
			 Birmingham and the Black Country 51,354 47,284 34,931 41,926 42,271 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside 22,286 26,928 22,575 24,454 14,455 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley 11,878 13,444 8,772 6,233 4,741 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 27,892 28,308 23,466 21,002 17,427 
			 Dorset and Somerset 5,730 9,976 7,631 5,899 1,885 
			 Essex 13,917 11,077 17,686 12,302 11,228 
			 Greater Manchester 46,963 44,975 32,211 27,943 26,307 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 24,066 20,767 12,802 11,701 10,985 
			 Kent and Medway 26,019 15,556 7,601 27,659 25,131 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland 32,885 22,250 41,966 27,431 26,522 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 25,492 19,525 10,816 19,540 9,622 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire 14,760 14,364 13,792 13,502. 9,656 
			 North Central London 39,407 44,131 41,341 64,447 61,168 
			 North East London 59,623 52,595 54,289 44,384 42,359 
			 North West London 49,089 32,347 43,185 31,638 46,350 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 31,232 33,133 18,551 12,046 10,360 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 18,1,26 26,678 34,869 34,628 32,221 
			 South East London 68,161 66,427 55,006 36,417 31,759 
			 South West London 25,971 24,892 17,283 35,193 35,350 
			 South West Peninsula 13,830 13,101 9,271 6,852 4,424 
			 South Yorkshire 16,854 15,947 14,781 20,492 9,063 
			 Surrey and Sussex 35,810 28,807 45,434 23,583 25,907 
			 Thames Valley 47,380 26,438 30,906 32,858 24,606 
			 Trent 45,589 57,940 52,088 36,539 37,152 
			 West Midlands South 20,321 14,591 12,239 10,800 9,954 
			 West Yorkshire 42,484 43,043 31,061 33,731 27,595 
			 England total 857,615 812,871 747,398 710,801 637,053

Bedford Primary Care Trust

Patrick Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether capitation allocations to the Bedford Primary Care Trust will be based upon (a) forecast population growth and (b) past census records from April 2005.

John Hutton: The Department allocates revenue funding directly to primary care trusts (PCTs) using a weighted capitation formula.
	Revenue allocations to all PCTs, including Bedford PCT, will use the latest available population data, at the time the allocations are announced.
	The allocations will be based on the 2001 census and will take account of changes in PCT population figures, since the last allocations round.

Care Homes (Cleanliness)

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to improve the training of care home staff in regard to tackling MRSA.

Stephen Ladyman: Under the Care Homes Regulations, care home providers are required to ensure that at all times suitably qualified, competent and experienced staff are working in the care home. These persons should receive training appropriate to their work and that is why infection control is detailed in the induction standards set by Topss England and should be used by all new staff and those taking national vocational qualifications.
	The Commission for Social Care Inspection inspects care homes at least twice a year to ensure they conform to the regulations and further advice on infection control training is available from specialists in primary care trusts and local health protection units.

Confidentiality

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department will take to ensure that NHS organisations conform to the Code of Practice on confidentiality.

John Hutton: The national health service code of practice on confidentiality encapsulates guidance on the legal and ethical responsibilities of NHS organisations with respect to the confidentiality of patient identifiable information. Subject to oversight by the Healthcare Commission it is for local NHS organisations to ensure they fulfil their own obligations. The Department has put in place an information governance toolkit which supports the NHS in this by enabling it to monitor and measure its own progress.

Consultants Contract (Dorset)

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to NHS trusts in Dorset of implementing the new consultants' contract.

John Hutton: We do not collect this information centrally and therefore do not have information regarding the cost to national health service trusts in Dorset of implementing the new consultant contract.
	Funding for the consultant contract, agreed with the British Medical Association during negotiations, was allocated to primary care trusts (PCTs) in December 2002 as part of main allocations. The amount that went to main allocations was 0.3 per cent. (129 million) in 200304, 0.4 per cent. (178 million) in 200405 and 0.5 per cent. (224 million) in 200506.

Consultants Contract (North Surrey)

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost in 200405 to the Ashford and St. Peter's hospitals NHS trust has been of implementing the new consultants' contracts; and how much additional funding has been provided by the North Surrey primary care trust to meet this additional expenditure.

John Hutton: holding answer 7 December 2004
	We do not have information regarding the cost to national health service trusts in the North Surrey primary care trust (PCT) of implementing the new consultant contract.
	Funding for the consultant contract, agreed with the British Medical Association during negotiations, was allocated to PCTs in December 2002 as part of main allocations. The amount that went to main allocations was 0.3 per cent., or 129 million, for 200304, 0.4 per cent., or 178 million, in 200405 and 0.5 per cent., or 224 million, in 200506.

Contract Cleaners

John Lyons: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many contract cleaners were employed in the health service in England in 2004;
	(2)  how many cleaners were employed in the health service in England in (a) 1997 and (b) 2004.

John Hutton: The latest available figure for staff who undertaking cleaning in the national health service is 55,000 for 200304. This figure represents the headcount of both directly employed and contracted out staff as separate figures are not available. It excludes managers, administrative and supervisory staff who do not physically carry out cleaning functions.
	No equivalent figure is available for 1997.

Crohn's Disease

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Government has spent on research into Crohn's disease in each of the last 10 years; what plans there are for future funding in this area; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The main agency through which the Government supports medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body, funded by the Department of Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Technology. MRC expenditure in the 10 years from 199495 on research into Crohn's disease is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Amount 
		
		
			 199495(37) 0.240 
			 199596(37) 0.830 
			 199697(37) 0.740 
			 199798(37) 0.800 
			 199899(37) 0.760 
			 19992000(37) 1.1 
			 200001 2.4 
			 200102 2.2 
			 200203 2.4 
			 200304 2 
		
	
	(37) The data collection method used prior to 200001 means that the figures for the years 199495 to19992000 do not includes spend on fellowships in this disease area.
	(38) Information not yet available.
	The MRC does not normally allocate funds to particular topics. Research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available. When appropriate, high quality research in particular areas of strategic importance may be given priority in competition for funds, but research excellence and importance to health continues to be the primary considerations in funding decisions. The MRC always welcomes high quality applications for support into any aspect of human health and these are judged in open competition with other demands on funding.
	The Department funds research to support policy and to provide the evidence needed to underpin quality improvement and service development in the NHS. The Department's national research programme spend on projects related to Crohn's disease in the period from 1994 to 2004 was 234,000.
	Over 75 per cent. of the Department's total expenditure on health research is devolved to and managed by national health service organisations. Details of completed and on-going projects, including a number concerned with Crohn's disease, can be found on the national research register at www.dh.gov.uk/research.

Data Protection

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has conducted into proposals for subject access within the National Programme for IT under the Data Protection Act 1998.

John Hutton: This is not an area where research is required. The requirements for subject access under the Data Protection Act 1998 are clearly set out within that Act and within its subsidiary regulations. The contracts administered by the national programme for information technology clearly specify the requirement for systems to have the functionality needed to satisfy subject access requests.

Dentistry

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with which countries his Department is in discussion regarding the recruitment of overseas dentists to work in the UK; and how advanced these discussions are in each case.

Rosie Winterton: Discussions are ongoing with Greece, Portugal, Germany, Spain, India and Poland.

Dentistry

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people in each region who have one or more teeth missing; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The most relevant information available is contained in the last Adult Dental Health Survey, carried out in 1998, on the percentages of adults with 21 or more natural teeth. This is shown in the table.
	
		Percentage of adults with 21 or more natural teeth in three regional groupings in 1998
		
			 English region Adults 21 or more natural teeth (percentage) 
		
		
			 North 71 
			 Midlands 68 
			 South 77 
			 England 73 
		
	
	Source:
	Adult Dental Health Survey 1998 table 2.2.23
	The percentage of adults with no teeth has fallen from 37 per cent., in 1968 to 12 per cent., in 1998.

Dentistry

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were registered with a NHS dentist in each primary care trust in the north-west.

Rosie Winterton: The numbers of registrations in the general and personal dental services for the north-west area by primary care trust (PCT) are shown in the following table. Registrations are given at 30 September 2004 for adults and children, and cover the PCT areas defined by the strategic health authorities of Cheshire and Merseyside, Cumbria and Lancashire, and Greater Manchester. The figures include patients seen in the past 15 months in personal dental service schemes where registration arrangements do not apply.
	
		General and personal dental services: number of adult and child registrations in the north-west area,by primary care trust at 30 September 2004
		
			 Strategic health authority/primary care trust Adult registrations Child registrations Total registrations 
		
		
			 Cheshire and Merseyside SHA 890,857 326,343 1,217,200 
			 Bebington and West Wirral 23,303 7,024 30,327 
			 Southport and Formby 60,001 19,129 79,130 
			 North Liverpool 45,784 15,225 61,009 
			 Birkenhead and Wallasey 58,632 21,184 79,816 
			 Cheshire West 69,432 25,277 94,709 
			 Central Cheshire 86,789 37,108 123,897 
			 Eastern Cheshire 93,966 31,334 125,300 
			 Ellesmere Port and Neston 42,082 14,784 56,866 
			 Central Liverpool 77,138 28,450 105,588 
			 South Liverpool 31,672 11,954 43,626 
			 Halton 45,389 17,046 62,435 
			 Warrington 83,292 31,460 114,752 
			 St. Helens 60,727 22,658 83,385 
			 Knowsley 52,431 22,146 74,577 
			 South Sefton 60,219 21,564 81,783 
			 
			 Cumbria And Lancashire SHA 630,416 247,016 877,432 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 44,011 21,888 65,899 
			 Carlisle and District 45,867 18,498 64,365 
			 Eden Valley 16,117 7,914 24,031 
			 West Cumbria 42,131 14,012 56,143 
			 Morecambe Bay 99,412 36,554 135,966 
			 Chorley and South Ribble 70,835 28,283 99,118 
			 West Lancashire 36,735 13,303 50,038 
			 Hyndburn and Ribble Valley 32,016 16,511 48,527 
			 Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale 62,125 27,690 89,815 
			 Preston 48,663 21,117 69,780 
			 Fylde 32,019 9,167 41,186 
			 Wyre 44,692 14,798 59,490 
			 Blackpool 55,793 17,281 73,074 
			 
			 Greater Manchester SHA 890,545 343,894 1,234,439 
			 South Manchester 41,301 16,802 58,103 
			 Central Manchester 48,179 16,189 64,368 
			 North Manchester 51,847 15,903 67,750 
			 Trafford South 46,271 19,198 65,469 
			 Heywood and Middleton 26,968 10,358 37,326 
			 Salford 67,590 29,047 96,637 
			 Trafford North 30,015 11,146 41,161 
			 Stockport 102,982 37,579 140,561 
			 Ashton, Leigh and Wigan 133,563 46,325 179,888 
			 Bolton 89,503 35,339 124,842 
			 Oldham 61,895 25,971 87,866 
			 Bury 60,359 26,048 86,407 
			 Rochdale 37,051 16,280 53,331 
			 Tameside and Glossop 93,021 37,709 130,730 
		
	
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board.

Dentistry

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the availability of dental treatment on the NHS in England.

Rosie Winterton: NHS Direct receives some 20,000 calls per month related to dentistry. 91 per cent. of callers are being advised of available sources of national health service dentistry within locally agreed standards.
	However, we acknowledge that, in some parts of the country, people who wish to register with a dentist face difficulties. To improve access to NHS dentistry we are undertaking the most far reaching reforms since 1948, supported by major additional investment in core funding and the training and recruitment of dentists.

Dentistry

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the population has been registered with an NHS dentist in (a) England and (b) each primary care trust in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The table shows the percentages of the population registered with a general dental service (GDS) dentist in England at 30 September in each of the years 1997 to 2004. For the years 2003 and 2004, estimates of activity in the personal dental service (PDS) have been included, these include patients seen in the past 15 months for PDS schemes without registration arrangements. Information showing a breakdown by primary care trust has been placed in the Library.
	The changes in the registration periods from 1 September 1996 affected the registration numbers from December 1997 onwards, so the 1997 figures are not comparable with the later figures. The registration figures for the later years are affected by dentists switching from the GDS to the PDS. Patients may access national health service dental services without being registered.
	The population figures for England and the strategic health authorities were issued on 7 October. For the year 2004, population figures for 2003 have been used. Population figures by primary care trust are available only for the years 2001 and 2002. The 2001 population figures have been used to calculate the registration rates for the years 1997 to 2001. The 2002 figures have been used to calculate the registration rates for the years 200204.
	
		Registration rates with a general service dentist at30 September in the years 1997 to 2004
		
			  Total (percentage) 
		
		
			 1997 55.0 
			 1998 48.1 
			 1999 47.9 
			 2000 48.1 
			 2001 47.7 
			 2002 47.3 
			 2003 47.8 
			 2004 46.3 
		
	
	We are to introduce new contractual arrangements for NHS dentistry from October 2005, which are intended to make NHS dentistry more attractive to dentists. One of the main changes is the replacement of the treatment-based, item-of-service method of paying dentists with a remuneration package derived from an evidence-based assessment of patients' overall oral health care needs. This will enable dentists to spend more time with their patients and reward them for giving oral health promotion advice.

Dentistry

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding his Department makes available to encourage dentists to join the NHS; and whether there are conditions attached to the funding to encourage dentists to remain within the NHS.

Rosie Winterton: The Keeping in Touch scheme (KTTs) offers support, up to 4,000, for dentists looking to return to national health service practice. Any other support, such as help with repayment of tuition fees or student loans, will be agreed locally by primary care trusts on their own initiative from their general allocations. We do not collect this information centrally. However, we understand that they are generally supported by agreements whereby the dentist commits to working in the NHS for a minimum period.

Departmental Telephones

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what his policy is on the use of telephones in his Department by members of staff for their own personal use for (a) domestic and (b) international calls; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what measures he has taken to ensure the telephones in his Department are not used by staff for making unauthorised personal calls to international numbers;
	(3)  what the estimated cost to his Department is of unauthorised personal calls made by members of staff to (a) domestic and (b) international numbers.

Rosie Winterton: The Department's policy on the use of telephones by members of staff for their own personal use is to allow short personal calls within the United Kingdom. Calls should last no longer than a few minutes per day.
	Personal international calls must not be made, unless in exceptional circumstances, with line management approval.
	The Department has ensured that telephones are not used by staff for making unauthorised personal calls to international numbers, by barring telephones from accessing international numbers unless this is required for business purposes.
	Invoices for international call charges are monitored centrally in detail to ensure that any abuse of the facilities would be picked up at an early stage. In addition, a breakdown of the most expensive telephone numbers is issued to business areas on a quarterly basis to enable managers to monitor telephone usage by their staff.
	As direct dialling is employed on all Department of Health telephones there is no data held centrally which would enable an estimate of unauthorised personal calls to domestic or international numbers to be made.

Departmental Staff (Declared Disability)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the staff employed by his Department have a declared disability.

Rosie Winterton: The Cabinet Office collects and publishes annually statistical information on the Civil Service by Department. These include data on the number of staff who declare a disability.
	The latest available information at April 2004 is available in the Library and on the Civil Service website at the following addresses:
	www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_information/statistical/information/statistics/publications/xls/gender_apr04_4nov04. xls
	www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_information/statistical_ information/statistics/publications/xls/disability_apr04_4nov04. xls

Driving (Drugs)

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the risks of driving while taking (a) benzodiazepines, (b) tricyclic antidepressants and (c) antihistamines; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will introduce changes to labelling of (a) benzodiazepines, (b) tricyclic antidepressants and (c) antihistamines to ensure clear advice on possible effects on driving when taking such medication is included; and if he will make a statement.
	(3)  if he will commission research on the experience in other EU countries of the effects on the incidence of road accidents of labelling pharmaceutical packaging to include information on the effects of the drug on driving, with particular reference to (a) benzodiazepines, (b) tricyclic antidepressants and (c) antihistamines; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: It is recognised that some medicines may affect ability to drive. Where a particular medicine or class of medicines is known to affect a patient's ability to drive, a warning is included in both the product information for prescribersthe summary of product characteristicsand patientsthe patient information leaflet. Antihistamines, which cause drowsiness are is included in both the product information for prescribersthe summary of product characteristicsand patientsthe patient information leaflet. Antihistamines, which cause drowsiness are required by law to include a warning on the outer label concerning the need for caution regarding driving.
	In addition, for certain groups of drugs, including benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants and sedating antihistamines, warning labels in relation to driving are added at the time of dispensing of the medicine by the pharmacist, in line with guidance provided in the British National Formulary.
	The impact of medicines, which may affect the ability to drive on the incidence of road traffic accidents is unclear. There is very limited information systematically recorded by the police in the United Kingdom or elsewhere on accident causation due to the effects of medication.
	Studies are currently ongoing to evaluate the impact of medicines on the risk of road traffic accidents. In particular, the European Commission is supporting a three year extensive research programme named IMMORTAL (Impaired Motorists, Methods of Roadside testing and Assessment for Licensing). This study aims to investigate the influence of chronic and acute impairment factors, including impairment from medicines, on driving performance and accident risk. Until the level of risk due to medicines has been identified, it is not possible to assess the effects of medicines labelling on the incidence of road traffic accidents.

Drug Regulatory Systems

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research he has conducted on drug regulatory systems; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: In 2003, the National Audit Office (NAO) published its report of the value for money study it carried out into the Medicines Control Agency (now the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency). As part of this study, the NAO produced a supplementary report that compared the workings of regulatory bodies in six countriesthe United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Netherlands, the United States of America, and Canada. The aim of the supplementary report was to draw out common issues, and highlight distinctive features of the different systems. The report can be found on the NAO website at www.nao.org.uk.
	The Department has not conducted any more research into drug regulatory systems which across the EU are governed by EU legislation.

Electronic Clinical Records

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has conducted on the legal implications of electronic clinical records.

John Hutton: Electronic patient records are no different from paper records in terms of their content and legal status. However, particular considerations affect the security, confidentiality and information sharing arrangements for electronic records.
	The policy and principles governing access to patient information, and obligations and standards governing its use applying to staff working within or under contract to national health service organisations are contained in the document Confidentiality: NHS Code of Practice published in November 2003. Breaches of confidence, or inappropriate use of health records or abuse of computer systems, may lead to disciplinary measures, bring into question professional registration, and possibly result in legal proceedings.
	The care record service (CRS) being introduced through the national programme for information technology in the NHS is incorporating stringent security controls and safeguards that will ensure that there is more control over who has access to their information than is possible with existing systems. Under the NHS, CRS patients will also have the right to define some information as especially sensitive and only accessible under terms of explicit consent. This reinforces the key statutory safeguards set out in the Data Protection Act 1998, with which all information users must comply.

Electronic Clinical Records

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Code of Practice cited in the National Specification for the Integrated Care Records Service has been developed.

John Hutton: The document Confidentiality: NHS Code of Practice was published in November 2003. It is available in the Library as well as on the Department's website.

Entertainment Costs

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on entertainment by his Department in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) food, (b) alcohol, (c) staff and (d) accommodation.

Rosie Winterton: Expenditure arises on hospitality and entertainment only in the context of promoting the Department's business objectives. All such expenditure is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting.
	Information in the required form is not available for the years requested. The total amount spent by the Department on hospitality since 199596 is shown in the table.
	
		
		
			  Amount 
		
		
			 199697 105,192 
			 199798 90,883 
			 199899 67,953 
			 19992000 50,114 
			 200001 93,091 
			 200102 121,968 
			 200203 125,261 
			 200304 106,337

Family Planning Booklet

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department contributed towards the funding of the Family Planning Association publication, Girls Out Loud.

Melanie Johnson: The Department of Health did not contribute.

Food Supplements

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting on 15 October with officials of the European Commission initiated by the Food Standards Agency to discuss the Food Supplements Directive; and whether that meeting led to (a) the addition of nutrients or nutrient sources to the Annexes of the Food Supplements Directive and (b) assurances from the Commission about how it intends to interpret Article 5 of the Directive in relation to the setting of maximum permitted levels for nutrients permitted in food supplements.

Melanie Johnson: The Food Standards Agency will shortly make available on its website a summary of the outcome of the meeting with the European Commission on 15 October and this will be forwarded to interested parties.
	The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will publish its recommendations for maximum permitted levels for nutrients allowed in food supplements in early 2005. The European Commission has indicated that it will bring forward its proposals, based on EFSA's advice, after the summer of 2005.

Gymnasiums

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many gyms are available to the staff in the Department; and what the cost of providing them was in the last year for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: The Department currently has one gymnasium available to its staff on the Department's London administrative estate. Operational costs are met by gym members' subscriptions.
	The Department occupies a building jointly with the Department for Work and Pensions in Leeds which has a gymnasium available to staff. Any operating costs for the gymnasium that are included in the facility price are paid by the Department.

Health Services (Newcastle)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many elective admissions there were in each year for 199697 to 200304 in the Newcastle upon Tyne primary care trust area; and how many of those admissions had been waiting for (a) up to three months, (b) three to six months, (c) six to nine months, (d) nine to 12 months and (e) 12 months or more.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		Count of elective in-year finished admissions for Newcastle upon Tyne hospitals national health service trustduration of time waited by method of admissions in NHS Hospital in England 199899 to 200304
		
			 Finished in year admissions  Time waited 
			 Year Method of admission Under three months Three under six months Six under nine months Nine under 12 months 
		
		
			 199899 11 Waiting list admissions 26,415 6,623 3,833 2,860 
			  12 Booked admissions 40,634 981 117 90 
			  13 Planned admissions 3,193 1,048 456 323 
			 199899 total  70,242 8,652 4,406 3,273 
			 19992000 11 Waiting list admissions 25,825 6,951 3,630 2,229 
			  12 Booked admissions 43,552 1,071 152 70 
			  13 Planned admissions 4,315 927 508 266 
			 19992000 total  73,692 8,949 4,290 2,565 
			 200001 11 Waiting list admissions 8,468 2,450 1,357 1,143 
			  12 Booked admissions 26,879 828 106 52 
			  13 Planned admissions 1,879 782 468 225 
			 200001 total  37.226 4,060 1,931 1,420 
			 200102 11 Waiting list admissions 25,017 7,493 3,019 1,973 
			  12 Booked admissions 46,413 1,684 492 533 
			  13 Planned admissions 4,279 768 284 187 
			 2001 -02 total  75,709 9,945 3,795 2,693 
			 200203 11 Waiting list admissions 26,739 8,311. 3,465 2,615 
			  12 Booked admissions 48,807 2,042 440 319 
			  13 Planned admissions 5,932 982 431 268 
			 200203 total  81,478 11,335 4,336 3,202 
			 200304 11 Waiting list admissions 28,075 8,269 3,749 2,826 
			  12 Booked admissions 47,750 2,494 229 111 
			  13 Planned admissions 5,157 972 518 654 
			 200304 total  80,982 11,735 4,496 3,591 
		
	
	
		
			 Finished in year admissions  Time waited 
			 Year Method of admission 12 months plus Not known Total admissions 
		
		
			 199899 11 Waiting list admissions 1,287 88 41,106 
			  12 Booked admissions 57 1,634 43,513 
			  13 Planned admissions 367 81 5,468 
			 199899 total  1,711 1,803 90,087 
			 19992000 11 Waiting list admissions 1,555 97 40,287 
			  12 Booked admissions 66 817 45,728 
			  13 Planned admissions 437 100 6,553 
			 1999.-2000 total  2,058 1,014 92,568 
			 200001 11 Waiting list admissions 798 26,459 40,675 
			  12 Booked admissions 27 18,829 46,721 
			  13 Planned admissions 550 2,654 6,558 
			 200001 total  1,375 47,942 93,954 
			 200102 11 Waiting list admissions 1,545 245 39,292 
			  12 Booked admissions 447 2,804 52,373 
			  13 Planned admissions 560 203 6,281 
			 2001 -02 total  2,552 3,252 97,946 
			 200203 11 Waiting list admissions 1,616 1.71 42,917 
			  12 Booked admissions 378 1,668 53,654 
			  13 Planned admissions 449 165 8,227 
			 200203 total  2,443 2,004 104,798 
			 200304 11 Waiting list admissions 1,890 194 45,003 
			  12 Booked admissions 80 2,356 53,020 
			  13 Planned admissions 159 657 8,117 
			 200304 total  2,129 3,207 106,140 
		
	
	Notes:
	Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).
	Time waited
	Time waited statistics from Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the time waited as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension.
	Finished in year admissions
	A finished in year admission is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider, excluding admissions beginning before 1 April at the start of the data year. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health

Hepatitis C

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the payment of compensation to Hepatitis C sufferers infected through NHS treatment, with particular reference to those for whom it is claimed that they overcome the virus.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 20 December 2004
	The ex-gratia payment scheme for people infected with Hepatitis C following national health service treatment with blood or blood products became operational on 5 July 2004. The Skipton Fund administers the scheme. As at 6 December, the Skipton Fund has made 2,560 stage one payments and 112 stage two payments.
	The press release issued on 3 June 2004 and the guidance notes issued with the application form make clear that people who have cleared the virus as a result of treatment, or who have cleared it spontaneously after a period of chronic infection will be eligible to apply for payment under the Hepatitis C ex-gratia payment scheme. People who have cleared the virus spontaneously in the acute phase of the disease will not be eligible for payment.

Hospital Cleanliness

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria are used to assess whether a hospital is rated as having (a) excellent, (b) good, (c) acceptable, (d) poor and (e) unacceptable levels of cleanliness under the 2004 Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT) hospital cleanliness scores; what criteria were used to assess whether a hospital was rated as having (i) green, (ii) amber and (iii) red levels of cleanliness in PEAT hospital cleanliness scores of 200003; for what reasons the number of strata of hospital cleanliness has been increased; and on what date it was decided to increase the number of strata.

John Hutton: Hospitals are assessed against 24 separate elements comprising a maximum of 130 individual scores. The final rating is derived by calculating the total points scored against the total points available subject to a weighting process which places emphasis on specific cleanliness related aspects. In previous years, the process was similar though based on a smaller range of elements, although the weighting aspect was first introduced in 2002.
	The increased scoring range was introduced ,to allow for greater differentiation in standards to be identified than was allowed by a three-point scale. The decision to increase the range was taken on 11 November 2003 and was notified to National Health Service trusts during November 2003.

Intermediate Care Accommodation

Jonathan R Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the South East Region Social Care Commission's decision to categorise intermediate care accommodation as the same as permanent residential care homes for registration purposes; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: Establishments that provide accommodation and personal care as defined in Section 3 of the Care Standards Act 2000 must register with the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). In determining whether or not an establishment falls within the scope of the Act, CSCI must have regard to the Registration Regulations 2001.

Mental Health Facilities (Funding)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mental health facilities have (a) closed down and (b) run skeletal services due to cuts in Government funding in 200304 or forecast for 200405.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not centrally available. In accordance with our policy of shifting the balance of power, supported by other national policy documents, such as the national service framework for mental health, primary care trusts (PCTs), in conjunction with their strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders, are responsible for assessing local health needs, and planning the delivery of their services accordingly. However, between 200102 and 200304, the Government invested over 300 million extra in mental health services. Furthermore, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his 2002 budget statement the largest sustained increase in funding of any five year period in the history of the national health service. This investment has helped to deliver significant improvements in primary, secondary and community care. Details of these improvements will be set out in a report to be published by the National Director for Mental Health shortly.

National Programme for IT

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress with developing agreements on cryptography for record-sharing within the National Programme for IT.

John Hutton: Where patient information is to be shared across networks, it will be protected through the deployment of cryptographic security technologies that provide secure encrypted digital communications tunnels. These solutions comply with the latest Cabinet Office e-Government interoperability framework version 6.1.

National Programme for IT

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the incorporation of implied consent into the National Programme for IT in the NHS.

John Hutton: The national programme for information technology (NPfIT) in the national health service is procuring systems that will, in due course, provide the NHS with the tools to fully implement the NHS confidentiality code of practice. This will enable NHS bodies to capture the express consent or dissent of patients where this is required, and will provide patients with a great deal of control over who can see what clinical information. The confidentiality code of practice, published in November 2003, was endorsed by the Information Commissioner and the General Medical Council. It sets out the interpretation of the requirement for consent to the use and disclosure of confidential health data that has been agreed with these bodies and with the Department's legal advisors. Where health data is used or disclosed solely for care or care related purposes, provided that patients have been informed of these purposes and of their right to object, it is reasonable to imply consent where there is no express dissent. The NPfIT in the NHS is developing a sophisticated anonymisation service, the secondary uses service, to ensure that other, for example, public health, research and managerial, requirements for data can be satisfied without breaching patient confidentiality.

National Programme for IT

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Information Management Security Forum of the National Programme for IT last met; how often it has met since its inception; what its current membership is; and what outcomes it has produced.

John Hutton: The information security management forum (ISMF) of the national programme for information technology (NPfIT) in the national health service last met on 7 December 2004 and has met a total of 23 times. The membership of the ISMF comprises representatives of the Department of Health, NPfIT, the NHS Information Authority, all providers who deliver services to the NHS under NPfIT contracts, and the National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre. The ISMF has developed, agreed and published a contractor security policy, version 1, additional temporary policy enhancement notices and some related best practice guidelines.

NHS (Ethical Recruitment)

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he will take to ensure that nurses and other healthcare professionals who are recruited into the NHS in Wales and Scotland, but who would not be eligible for recruitment directly from their country of origin into the NHS in England under the Code of Practice on Ethical Recruitment, will be prevented from being employed by the NHS in England from December 2005 onwards.

John Hutton: holding answer 14 December 2004
	All home countries observe the principles contained in the Code of Practice. All recruitment into the national health service in England is underpinned by these principles. Healthcare professionals employed by the NHS in Scotland and Wales may also apply to NHS vacancies in England.

NHS Equipment

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether changes have had to be made to procurement of (a) wheelchairs, (b) trolleys and (c) hospital beds in the NHS because of increased average body weight of patients over the last 30 years.

Rosie Winterton: Patients have got taller and heavier over the last 30 years, which has resulted in changes being made in the procurement of such hospital equipment.
	The National Health Service Purchasing  Supply Agency (NHS PASA) has a national framework agreement (NFA) for wheeled mobility products, which includes a range of equipment from paediatric buggies to barriatric wheelchairs with user weight limits of up to 50 stone. Weight limits vary according to specific models and their intended use.
	Over the past three years, the trend has been for the main wheelchair manufacturers to increase the weight limits on their basic equipment to a minimum of 18 stone.
	NHS PASA does not have a NFA in place for patient trolleys. Procurement of these products is carried out at trust level.
	NHS PASA has a NFA in place for hospital beds. The specification for beds stipulates that the bed must hold a minimum of 170kg (approximately 27 stone), because the Kingsfund bed, standard hospital bed, is still in use. The old Kingsfund bed had a safe working load of 28 stone which was the NHS industry standard. However due to increases in patient weight, the majority of suppliers on the agreement now offer beds with a 42 stone safe working load as standard. Barriatric beds are used for clinically obese patients who need beds with a wider width.

NHS Local Improvement Finance Trust Programmes

Patrick Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the full rental or lease costs of new facilities delivered by NHS local improvement finance trust programmes in the growth areas identified under the sustainable communities policy will be met from the day the particular facility is opened.

John Hutton: It is for primary care trusts, in partnership with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders, to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, tackling health inequalities and modernising services.

Nurses (Lancashire)

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses there are in (a) Burnley and (b) Lancashire; and how many there were in 1997.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff including practice nurses in each specified organisation as at 30 September1 each specified year -- Headcount
		
			1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003 Difference 19972003 
		
		
			  Total specified organisations 10,694 10,702 10,832 10,467 11,502 12,175 12,348 1,654 
			 5CC Blackburn with Darwen PCT (40) (40) (40) (40) 236 251 313 (40) 
			 5DD Morecambe Bay PCT (40) (40) (40) (40) 983 990 1,033 (40) 
			 5F2 Chorley and South Ribble PCT (40) (40) (40) (40) 295 333 402 (40) 
			 5F3 West Lancashire PCT (40) (40) (40) (40) 202 205 212 (40) 
			 5G7 Hyndburn And Ribble Valley PCT (40) (40) (40) (40) 52 402 387 (40) 
			 5G8 Burnley, Pendle And Rossendale PCT (40) (40) (40) (40) 123 497 506 (40) 
			 5HD Preston PCT (40) (40) (40) (40) 50 263 302 (40) 
			 5HE Fylde PCT (40) (40) (40) (40) 28 142 154 (40) 
			 5HF Wyre PCT (40) (40) (40) (40) 45 224 229 (40) 
			 5HP Blackpool PCT (40) (40) (40) (40) 64 284 313 (40) 
			 Q13 Cumbria and Lancashire SHA (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) 1 (40) 
			 QCl South Lancashire HA 6 5 5 13 5 (40) (40) (40) 
			 QCX East Lancashire HA 6 8 14 6 6 (40) (40) (40) 
			 QCY North West Lancashire HA 7 7 6 10 20 (40) (40) (40) 
			 RE3 South Cumbria Community and Mental  Health NHS Trust 304 (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) 
			 RES Westmorland Hospital NHS Trust 247 (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) 
			 REU Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust 1,382 1,369 1,358 1,364 1,413 1,080 (40) (40) 
			 REV Lancaster Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 638 (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) 
			 REW Lancaster Priority Services NHS Trust 614 (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) 
			 RJP Southport and Formby Community Health  Service NHS Trust 262 255 (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) 
			 RJU Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust 701 746 775 772 603 (40) (40) (40) 
			 RJV West Lancashire NHS Trust 510 504 (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) 
			 RJX Calderstones Hospital NHS Trust 363 293 250 262 276 275 289 74 
			 RM8 Furness Hospitals NHS Trust 500 (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) 
			 RMB Blackburn, Hyndbum and Ribbla Valley  Health Care 1,260 1,274 1,547 1,189 1,206 1,161 (40) (40) 
			 RMD Lancashire Ambulance Service NHS Trust (40) (40) (40) 35 72 105 121 (40) 
			 RME Communicare NHS Trust 472 483 509 522 387 (40) (40) (40) 
			 RMF Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 1,272 1,234 1,264 1,256 1,330 (40) (40) (40) 
			 RMG Guild Community Healthcare NHS Trust 394 436 464 446 455 (40) (40) (40) 
			 RML Blackpool Wyre And Fylde Community  Health Services 845 865 871 868 910 (40) (40) (40) 
			 RMR Blackpool Victoria 911 939 968 973 1,140 (40) (40) (40) 
			 RTX Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust (40) 1,471 1,540 1,441 1,529 1,549 1,519 (40) 
			 RTY Bay Community NHS Trust (40) 813 808 835 (40) (40) (40) (40) 
			 RVT North Sefton and West Lancashire  Community NHS Trust (40) (40) 453 475 72 (40) (40) (40) 
			 RW5 Lancashire Care NHS Trust (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) 1,002 1,021 (40) 
			 RXL Blackpool, Fylde And Wyre Hospitals NHS  Trust (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) 1,497 1,475 (40) 
			 RXN Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) 1,915 1,928 (40) 
			 RXR East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) (40) 2,143 (40) 
		
	
	(39) Data as at 30 September each year except practice nurse data as at 1 October 199799.
	(40) Not applicable.
	Source:
	Department of Health general and personal medical services statistics.
	Department of Health non-medical workforce census.

Officials (Working Hours)

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many officials working in ministerial private offices in the Department have worked more than a 48 hour week at any time in the last 12 months for which figures are available; how many of those had signed a waiver under working time regulations; and what percentage these figures represented of the total in each case.

Rosie Winterton: The Working Time Regulations provide workers with the protection of a limit of an average of 48 hours a week working time. This is not an absolute cap of 48 hours in any one week. This average is normally calculated over a 17-week reference period, although this can be longer in certain situations (26 weeks) and can be extended by agreement (up to 52 weeks). Workers may choose to work more than 48 hours per week over this reference period by signing an opt-out agreement, but employers cannot force a worker to sign an opt-out and workers cannot be subjected to detriment for refusing to sign an opt-out.
	Nine officials working in ministerial private offices in the Department have signed a waiver, which represents 26 per cent., of the total.

Paediatric Cardiac Care

Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps have been taken to implement the recommendations of the Kennedy Report, with particular reference to the professional development of paediatric cardiac nurses;
	(2)  what assessment has been made of the impact of the disbanding of national courses for multiprofessional groups on paediatric cardiac education.

Rosie Winterton: holding answers 29 November 2004
	Learning from Bristol: the Department of Health's Response to the Report of the Public Inquiry into children's heart surgery at the Bristol Royal Infirmary 19841995,Cm 5363was published on 17 January 2002. In it, we accepted the broad principles on which the Kennedy Report was based and agreed with most of the 198 recommendations.
	Since then, much progress has been made on the key themes of the response: patient empowerment; strengthening professional regulation and inspection; improving children's services; ensuring safety of care; improving management and leadership; and improving information, decision making and performance monitoring.
	Examples of the actions taken to date include major reforms to the healthcare regulatory bodies and the creation of the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence to oversee them; a review of the national health service complaints procedure and publication of guidance on whistle-blowing; the launch of the Informed Patient project, designed to make quality information available to patients; the establishment of the Commission for Health Improvementnow the Healthcare Commissionand National Patient Safety Agency; the launch of the National Institute of Clinical Excellence interventional procedures programme; and the publication of the national service framework (NSF) for children, young people and maternity services in September 2004. The standards for children's hospital services were published in April 2003, ahead of the rest of the NSF.
	In regard to continuing development, all healthcare professionals have a duty to maintain their knowledge and keep their skills up to date. Since April 2002, over 80 million has been invested in the development of an infrastructure for continuing professional development in the NHS.
	We are not aware of any specific impact from the disbandment of national courses for multi-professional groups on paediatric cardiac education.

Psoriasis

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many courses of hospital-based treatment for psoriasis there were in each strategic health authority area (a) in total and (b) per head of population from 1998 to 2003; and if he will estimate the cost of each course of hospital-based treatment.

Stephen Ladyman: Information on the number of finished consultant episodes (FCEs), where psoriasis was the primary diagnosis has been placed in the Library.
	The national average costs of treating all major skin conditions in 200203, the latest year for which information is available, is shown in the table. It is not possible to provide data broken down by specific condition.
	
		
			 Patient type HRG code HRG label Number of FCEs National average unit cost () 
		
		
			 Elective in-patient J39 Major dermatological conditions 69 years old or with complications and comorbidities 1,226 3,162 
			 Elective inpatient J40 Major dermatological conditions 70 years old or without complications and comorbidities 2,129 2,832 
			 Elective inpatient J41 Major skin infections 69 years old or with complications and comorbidities 361 1,975 
			 Elective inpatient J42 Major skin infections 70 years old or without complications and comorbidities 174 1,246 
			 Non-elective inpatient J39 Major dermatological conditions 69 years old or with complications and comorbidities 2,845 1,852 
			 Non-elective inpatient J40 Major dermatological conditions 70 years old or without complications and comorbidities 4,680 1,404 
			 Non-elective inpatient J41 Major skin infections 69 years old or with complications and comorbidities 27,439 1,468 
			 Non-elective inpatient J42 Major skin infections 70 years old or without complications and comorbidities 17,428 919 
			 Day case J39 Major dermatological conditions 69 years old or with complications and comorbidities 683 254 
			 Day case J40 Major dermatological conditions 70 years old or without complications and comorbidities 6,984 208 
			 Day case J41 Major skin infections 69 years old or with complications and comorbidities 151 410 
			 Day case J42 Major skin infections 70 years old or without complications and comorbidities 156 337 
		
	
	Source:
	National health service trusts own dataReference Costs 2003relating to the financial year 200203.

Security Standards

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of NHS organisations certified to BS 77992:2002 security standard; and what proportion of products supplied under the National Programme for IT comply with this standard.

John Hutton: In common with other public service bodies, national health service organisations are not currently required to formally register under BS77992:2002 but are required to undertake local assessments of their BS7799 compliance. No estimates are therefore available. Contractors to the national programme for information technology in the NHS are required to maintain a BS77992:2002 compliant Information Security Management System for all services provided to the NHS. A review of contractor BS7799 compliance is currently under way.

Senior Women

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women there are in senior positions in his Department.

Rosie Winterton: As at 1 April 2004, there were 136 women in senior positions in the Department and this represents 36.8 per cent., of the Senior Civil Service in the Department.

Shalder House/Platters Farm

Jonathan R Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the inspection process of the South East Region Social Care Commission for the registration requirements of (a) Shalder House and (b) Platters Farm in the Medway towns; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The process for registration of care homes is set down in the Care Standards Act (CSA) 2000 and the Registration Regulations 2001. The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) must have regard to the legislation in determining whether or not an establishment should be registered as a care home.
	I understand from the Chair of the CSCI that Shalder House meets the definition of a care home as set down in Section 3 of the CSA 2000. Platters Farm has applied for a variation to its current registration to include intermediate care beds.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether departmental special advisers have attended meetings with external (a) bodies and (b) individuals, in their official capacity and without Ministers, since May 1997.

Rosie Winterton: Special advisers hold meetings with a wide range of external representatives in their official capacity. All such meetings are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether departmental special advisers have made speeches in their official capacity since May 1997.

Rosie Winterton: Any speeches made by special advisers in an official capacity are conducted in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether departmental special advisers have been responsible for authorising instances of departmental spending since May 1997;
	(2)  whether departmental special advisers have given instructions to permanent civil servants without the explicit authorisation of Ministers since May 1997.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Miliband), on 16 December 2004, Official Report, columns 125859W.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether departmental special advisers have written to external (a) bodies and (b) individuals in their official capacity since May 1997.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the then Minister for the Cabinet Office, (Ruth Kelly), on 14 December 2004, Official Report, column 1005W.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether departmental special advisers have made appearances before parliamentary select committees in their official capacity since May 1997.

Rosie Winterton: Departmental special advisers have made no appearances before Parliamentary select committees since May 1997.

Strategic Health Authorities

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 6 December 2004, Official Report, column 360W, on strategic health authorities, if he will list (a) the average forecast year-end deficit of primary care trusts in England in the same format as his answer of 1 December 2004, Official Report, column 131W, on primary care trusts and (b) the anticipated financial deficit in the year to 31 March 2005 of (i) strategic health authorities, (ii) primary care trusts and (iii) NHS trusts in England in the same format as his answer of 29 November 2004, Official Report, columns 67W, on health service deficits (South West).

John Hutton: Pursuant to my reply of 6 December, we have no plans to publish national un-audited in year financial forecasts. Audited information in respect of the 200405 financial position of all strategic health authorities (SHAs), primary care trusts and national health service trusts will be published in their individual annual accounts and will be available centrally in autumn 2005. Where published information for individual bodies is available locally, for example from monthly board reports, then the Department can usually provide a reply from information supplied by the SHAs.

Taskforces

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on task forces and similar bodies in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 20 December 2004
	Task forces and ad hoc' advisory groups in the Department generally have a short-term focus and when their work comes to an end they are disbanded. They are usually created to give expert advice to Ministers on a specific issue and are expected to remain on operation for less than two years. They do not generally have a formal separate budget allocated to them, and their running costs are not separately identifiable within the Department's accounts. Identifying such expenditure would involve disproportionate cost.

Waiting Lists/Times

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time is to receive a catheter ablation in England at the latest date for which figures are available.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Duration of average time waited from waiting list and booked admissions for procedurescatheter ablation in national health service hospitals in England, 200304
		
			 Procedure Average time waited in days 
		
		
			 Catheter ablation K571-K572 (OPCS 4R) 178 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).
	2. Time waited statistics from Hospital episode statistics (HES) are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the time waited as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension.
	Source:
	HES, Department of Health.

Working Time Directive (Dorset)

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of implementing the European Working Time Directive for NHS trusts in Dorset.

John Hutton: We do not collect this information centrally.
	Implementation of the Working Time Directive is a local matter for national health service trusts, performance managed by strategic health authorities.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Agricultural Students

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) undergraduate and (b) postgraduate entrants to (i) agricultural colleges and (ii) university agricultural departments there were in each of the last five years.

Kim Howells: The available information is given in the table.
	
		HE Entrants with a Main Subject of Study of Agriculture and related subjects at English Institutions
		
			  HE sector institutions FE sector institutions All 
			 Academic Year PG UG Total PG UG Total  
		
		
			 1998/99 865 3,925 4,790 35 1,320 1,355 6,145 
			 1999/00 895 3,705 4,595 15 1,730 1,745 6,340 
			 2000/01 1,075 3,745 4,820 0 1,260 1,260 6,085 
			 2001/02 1,115 3,825 4,940 0 1,470 1,470 6,410 
			 2002/03(41) 1,140 3,510 4,650 10 1,125 1,135 5,785 
		
	
	(41)HESA introduced a new method of coding subjects in 2002/03 therefore figures are not directly comparable to earlier years.
	Note: Figures are on a snapshot basis as at 1 December for study in HE institutions and the 1ovember for study in FE institutions, and are rounded to the nearest 5.
	Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and Learning Skills Council (LSC)

Agricultural Students

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the (a) agricultural colleges and (b) university agricultural departments that have closed over the last five years.

Kim Howells: For the HE sector, information on the closure of particular university departments is not collected by either the Department for Education and Skills or the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies and any decisions on closures of departments are made by the institutions themselves and not Government or the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).
	For the FE sector, a list of all agricultural/horticultural colleges which have been involved in merger or other form of reorganisation i.e. transfer to the Higher Education sector in the last five years are included in the tables.
	
		Mergers under the Further Education Funding Council
		
			 Colleges Region Type of Merger Name of merged institution Operative Date 
		
		
			 Durham College of Agriculture and Horticulture and East Durham Community College North East Double dissolution East Durham and Houghall Community College 1 June 1999 
			 Holme Lacey College and Pershore and Hindlip College West Midlands Single dissolution (Holme Lacey) The Pershore Group of Colleges 1 August 1999 
			 Kirkley Hall College and Northumberland College North East Single dissolution (Kirkley Hall) Northumberland College 1 January 2000 
			 Brooksby College and Melton Mowbray College East Midlands Single dissolution (MMC) Brooksby Melton College 1 September 2000 
			 Trowbridge College, Chippenham College and Lackham College South West Triple dissolution Wiltshire College 1 November 2000 
			 Walford College and North Shropshire College, Walford West Midlands Single dissolution (WC) Walford and North Shropshire College 1 January 2001 
		
	
	Source: Learning Skills Council
	
		FE/HE mergers under the Further Education Funding Council
		
			 College Region Assets transferred to Operative Date 
		
		
			 Brackenhurst College East Midlands Nottingham Trent University 1 April 1999 
		
	
	Source: Learning  Skills Council
	
		FE mergers under the Learning Skills Council
		
			 Colleges Local Learning Skills Council Type of merger Name of merged institution Operative Date 
		
		
			 Broomfield College, Derby Tertiary College, Wilmorton and Mackworth College Derbyshire Triple dissolution Derby College 1 January 2002 
			 Brinsbury College and Chichester College of Arts, Science and Technology Sussex Single dissolution (BC) Chichester College 1 August 2002 
			 Guildford College of Further and Higher Education and MerristWood College Surrey Single Dissolution (MWC) Guildford College of Further and Higher Education 1 August 2003 
			 Cannington College and Bridgwater College Somerset Single Dissolution (CC) Bridgwater College 1 September 2004 
		
	
	Source: Learning and Skills Council

Building Schools for the Future

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which local education authorities are being considered for Building Schools for the Future funding in the present round; and which have asked for a city academy to be considered for their authority area.

Stephen Twigg: All local education authorities were considered for Building Schools for the Future funding in the recently completed round. We announced on 30 November the authorities chosen to join the programme in waves 2 and 3:
	Wave 2
	Birmingham
	Hackney
	Haringey
	Islington
	Kingston upon Hull
	Lambeth
	Liverpool
	Middlesbrough
	Nottingham
	Tower Hamlet
	Wave 3
	Barnsley
	Derbyshire
	Durham
	Kent
	Luton
	North Lincolnshire
	Salford
	Sandwell
	Tameside
	Westminster
	Of these authorities, the following have so far submitted formal expressions of interest to the Department to have one or more academies in their authority area: Barnsley, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Kent, Lambeth, Lewisham, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Salford, Sandwell, Southwark and Westminster.

Bullying

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the extent of bullying in schools; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: Data on bullying is not collected centrally and there is no reliable basis for an estimate on the scale of the problem. However any level of bullying is too high and we are determined to help schools tackle the problem. Our guidance Bullying: Don't Suffer in Silence, the anti-bullying Charter and the anti-bullying website www.dfes.gov.uk/bullying offer detailed advice on preventing and addressing bullying. In November 2003 the Department launched the anti-bullying Charter for schools, which almost 4,000 schools have already signed. It is accompanied by a summary of effective practice to help schools review and enhance their anti-bullying policies.
	Although the DfES does not collect statistics on the incidence of bullying various voluntary sector organisations do. These are as follows:
	ChildLine survey August 2004
	In August 2004 ChildLine announced a 42 per cent. rise in the total number of children counselled by the charity about bullying.
	Last year (April 2003 to March 2004) more than 31,000 children and young people spoke to a ChildLine counsellor about bullying.
	Parents' concernsParentline PlusNational Helpline Report March 2004
	21 per cent. of calls to Parentline Plus between April 2003 and March 2004 were from parents concerned about their children because of bullying.
	Bullying in schoolsChildLine research 2003 (DfES funded)
	Half of all primary school children surveyed and more than one in four secondary children said they had been bullied within the last year.
	15 per cent. of primary school children and 12 per cent. of secondary school students said they had both bullied and been bullied in the last year.
	Over half of primary (51 per cent.) and secondary school pupils (54 per cent.) thought that bullying was a big problem or quite a problem in their school.
	Over 60 per cent. of pupils (primary and secondary) thought their school was very good or quite good at dealing with bullying. But some schools are perceived to be more effective than others, and secondary school pupils are less likely to give their school a glowing report: 36 per cent. of primary school pupils thought that their school was very good at dealing with bullying compared with just 12 per cent. of secondary school students.
	Bullying and modern technologyNCH survey, April 2002
	One in four children in the UK have been bullied or threatened via their mobile phone or PC. 16 per cent. of young people said they'd received bullying or threatening text messages, 7 per cent. had been harassed in internet chat-rooms and 4 per cent. via email.
	Bullying in Britain, Young Voice, 2001
	35 per cent. of boys and 26 per cent. of girls sampled in the Young Voice research admitted they had bullied other children. However different children have different views of what constitutes bullying.
	Of all the black and ethnic minority community children surveyed, a quarter were severely bullied compared with 13 per cent. of the white children.

Bullying

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on which television channels the school anti-bullying campaign advertisements sponsored by his Department are being shown; at what time of day they are transmitted; what the anticipated reach in numbers of children of school age is; what the anticipated reach in numbers of adults is; what the total cost is; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: The 60 second film produced as part of the Beat Bullying campaign is a public information filler, not an advertisement. Fillers are public awareness messages, which must exclusively promote health, safety or welfare, and are run in donated airtime. As such, they are a unique and very cost effective route to a broadcast audience.
	Currently 70 channels support fillers including:
	All commercial terrestrial stationsITV network, Channel 4, Five.
	Major cable and satellite stations including a mix or targeted and ethnic channels.
	Money can't buy transmissions on all BBC channels.
	Stations usually show fillers during their promotional airtime and in any unsold advertising they may have. Fillers are also used to fill gaps in the schedule when programmes run short and to balance uneven network breaks
	The Beat Bullying filler was released to broadcasters in December. They are unable to give advanced warning of when it will be shown. The first transmission report is due in February which will give the total number of transmissions and the estimated airtime value. However, the usage information we receive from the stations does not enable us to calculate the exact reach and demographic of the filler's audience.
	The Beat Bullying filler cost 60,237.08 to produce and market to TV stations, but does not incur charges for broadcasting airtime.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost of postage was for official departmental Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Stephen Twigg: This year the Department for the first time sent electronic and printed versions of Christmas cards. Printed cards are sent via the governmental inter-departmental service or the Royal Mail. No breakdown of the delivery methods is available which would enable an accurate assessment to be made of the postage costs.
	All expenditure incurred in the purchase and despatch of official Christmas cards is made in accordance with the departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost was of purchasing official departmental Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Stephen Twigg: The costs of printing the Department's Christmas card this year was 1,510. The cost in 2003 was 2,820.
	All expenditure incurred in the purchase and despatch of official Christmas cards is made in accordance with the departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many official Christmas cards were sent out by his Department in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Stephen Twigg: Printed Christmas cards are distributed to Ministers and senior officials on request for their staff to prepare and send out. No central record is kept of the numbers sent out.
	In 2003, some 13,500 cards were made available for issue. In 2004 the number was 3,000. In addition, in 2004 the Department for the first time sent electronic versions of Christmas cards via email. As at 17 December, 3,400 e-cards had been sent.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many departmental staff have responsibility for preparing Christmas cards.

Derek Twigg: No central record is kept of the number of staff involved in preparing the Department's official Christmas cards.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many hours of staff time were taken up in preparation of Christmas cards in 2004.

Stephen Twigg: No central record is kept of the hours of staff time involved in preparing the Department's official Christmas cards.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of official departmental Christmas cards included a contribution to charity in their cost; and which charities benefited from such a contribution.

Stephen Twigg: The Department does not contribute financially to charities through its official Christmas card.
	Each year the Department selects one or more charities who it wishes to endorse by referring to them on the card. This year's charity is the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre.

Conferences

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many conferences were (a) attended by officials from her Department, (b) cancelled by and (c) facilitated by her Department in each year since 1997; and what the (i) cost to the Department and (ii) location was in each case.

Stephen Twigg: The Department organises a large number of events for different target audiences and purposes each year, ranging from small scale workshops to introduce practitioners to new procedures or initiatives, to larger scale events to promote policy initiatives or present the bigger picture of the Department's activities to external partners and opinion formers.
	Examples of these during the past year range from a series of small local events to disseminate good practice in meeting the needs of anti bullying behaviour, to informing Headteachers and stakeholders on the Department's Five Year Strategy for Children and Learners in England.
	Records of all such events sponsored by the Department are not held centrally and the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Advertising

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in which Muslim newspapers the Department advertises; and what kinds of advertising the Department places in Muslim newspapers.

Stephen Twigg: My Department targets all ethnic communities through mainstream media, as it is the most cost effective way of reaching the largest possible audience
	My Department has not booked publicity advertising specifically in Muslim newspapers in the past 12 months. It is only possible to provide information beyond this period at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on energy costs incurred by his Department in each of the last two years.

Derek Twigg: My Department remains committed to reducing energy usage in all its Department's buildings. A range of measures are in place and regularly reviewed and updated to ensure improved performance meets the requirements of the national policy Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate. Energy costs for the years 200203 and 200304 are given in Table l below, along with the corresponding consumption data and average fuel prices: figures are given separately for electricity and heating fuels, as well as for the total energy and Table 2 shows floor area, consumption per sq metre.
	
		Table 1: Energy costs, consumption and average prices
		
			 Electricity  
		
		
			 Spend 200203 () 805,654 
			 Spend 200304 () 824,756 
			 Percentage change in spend 2 
			 Consumption 200203 (kWh) 18,844,508 
			 Consumption 200304 (kWh) 19,101.147 
			 Percentage change in consumption 1 
			 Average price p/kWh 200203 4.28 
			 Average price p/kWh 200304 4.32 
			 Percentage change in p/kWh 1 
		
	
	The increase in spend is attributable to an increase in occupancy in DfES buildings and the corresponding rise in the use of all forms of IT equipment.
	
		
			 Fossil heating fuels  
		
		
			 Spend 200203 () 192,685 
			 Spend 200304 () 162,553 
			 Percentage change in spend -16 
			 Consumption 200203 (kWh) 12,111,996 
			 Consumption 200304 (kWh) 10,526,997 
			 Percentage change in consumption -13 
			 Average price p/kWh 200203 1.59 
			 Average price p/kWh 200304 1.54 
			 Percentage change in p/kWh -3 
		
	
	The reduction in spend is due to the disposal of two DfES properties in the last year, (Vincent House in Darlington and East Lane House in Runcorn).
	
		
			 Total all fuels  
		
		
			 Spend 200203 () 998,339 
			 Spend 200304 () 987,309 
			 Percentage change in spend -1 
			 Consumption 200203 (kWh) 30,956,504 
			 Consumption 200304 (kWh) 29,628,144 
			 Percentage change in consumption -4 
			 Average price p/kWh 200203 3.22 
			 Average price p/kWh 200304 3.33 
			 Percentage change in p/kWh 3 
		
	
	The overall reduction in fuel costs is directly attributable to the disposal of two of the DfES HQ buildings.
	
		Table 2: Floor area, consumption per sq metre
		
			 Floor area  
		
		
			 Floor area 200203 (th m(43)) 97 
			 Floor area 200304 (th m(43)) 83 
			 Percentage change in floor area -15 
			 Electricity/m2 200203 (kWh/m(43)) 194 
			 Electricity/m2 200304 (kWh/m(43)) 231 
			 Percentage change in electricity/m(43) 19 
			 Fossil fuel/m(43) 125 
			 Fossil fuel/m(43) 127 
			 Percentage change in fossil fuel/m(43) 2 
			 Total energy/m2 200203 (kWh/m(43)) 319 
			 Total energy/m2 200304 (kWh/m(43)) 358 
			 Percentage change in total energy/m(43) 12 
		
	
	The reduction in floor area has been achieved as a result of property disposal. The increase in fossil fuels and total energy usage per square metre is attributed to the combination of an increase in IT equipment and usage, projects and refurbishments leading to open plan working and higher staff densities resulting in an increased pressure on the air conditioning in all buildings.

Doctorates

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many doctorates were awarded in each of the last three years, broken down by gender.

Kim Howells: The latest available information is given in the table. Figures for 200304 will be published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) in January 2005.
	
		Doctorates obtained at UK HEIs
		
			 Gender: 200001 200102 200203 
		
		
			 Male 8,545 8,300 8,720 
			 Female 5,575 5,910 6,155 
			 Total 14,115 14,210 14,875 
		
	
	Source:
	Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
	Figures are rounded to the nearest five.

Education Funding

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many opportunity bursaries were taken up at universities and further education (FE) colleges in each region in (a) 200102, (b) 200203, (c) 200304 and (d) 200405; how many grants were taken up by universities and FE colleges in each region in 2004; and how many (i) grants and (ii) opportunity bursaries were taken up at each university and FE college in the North East region in (A) 200102, (B) 200203, (C) 200304 and (D) 200405.

Kim Howells: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

Equine-based Courses

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many entrants there were to each (a) course, (b) college and (c) department for equine-based courses in each of the last five years.

Kim Howells: Information on the number of enrolments at English HE institutions to study equine-based courses is not explicitly available from the Higher Education Statistics Agency student record prior to the academic year 2002/03. The available figures for 2002/03 are given in the table. Figures are not held centrally for each course or department.
	
		HE entrants to equine-based courses at English HE institutions, 2002/03
		
			 Institution HE level FE level 
		
		
			 Bournemouth University 10 0 
			 Buckinghamshire College of HE 25 0 
			 Chichester Institute of HE 5 0 
			 Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine 0 0 
			 Oxford Brookes University 15 0 
			 Royal Agricultural College 25 0 
			 University of Lincoln 15 0 
			 University of Plymouth 15 0 
			 University of Wolverhampton 25 0 
			 Writtle College 5 40 
			 Total 140 40 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures are based upon a snapshot as at the 1 December and are rounded to the nearest 5.
	Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
	The number of learners at each FE college is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Mark Haysom the Council's Chief Executive will write to the hon. Gentleman with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Ethnic Diversity

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans the Government have to increase ethnic diversity in higher education.

Kim Howells: Minority ethnic groups are well represented in higher education. Recent research conducted by the Institute of Employment Studies found that they represent approximately 16 per cent. of the undergraduate population compared to 9 per cent. of the working population. However, the pattern of minority ethnic participation in undergraduate study is a complex one.
	Government are supporting a range of activities and policies to promote equality of opportunity for those from all ethnic groups at various stages of their education: Aimhigher, a national outreach programme, aims to raise the attainment levels and aspirations of young people from non-traditional and disadvantaged backgrounds; the Government's Aiming High Strategy is helping to raise the academic achievement of ethnic minority pupils in our schools; and university access plans submitted to the Office for Fair Access will, where appropriate, include details of activities to reach out to under-represented minority groups or subgroups.
	In addition, the Government plans to lay a Bill before Parliament to establish a new Commission for Equality and Human Rights which will champion equality, diversity and human rights.

Field Trips

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what plans he has to encourage schools to undertake field trips;
	(2)  how many school field trips were sanctioned by each county council in each of the last five years;
	(3)  how many school field trips Norfolk county council funded in each of the last five years.

Derek Twigg: We are at the very early stages of exploring an Outdoor Learning Manifesto, along the lines of the Music Manifesto I championed earlier this year. We are doing this in conjunction with a wide range of partners such as field studies centres, voluntary and commercial outdoor learning organisations, NGOs, subject associations and other government departments.
	We do not collect data on the amount of school field trips sanctioned and or funded by county councils.

GCSE Results

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of 15-year-olds have achieved (a) five GCSEs at A*-C and (b) at least one GCSE A*-C in each year since 1997, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Stephen Twigg: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

Graduate/Non-Graduate Incomes

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the average income of (a) a graduate and (b) a non-graduate over a 35-year career; and what estimate he has made of the average yield from (i) income tax and (ii) national insurance contributions of (A) a graduate and (B) a non-graduate over a 35-year career.

Kim Howells: We estimate that the average gross lifetime earnings of a graduate with a first degree are just over 1 million, in real terms at 2001 prices, and that the average amount of lifetime income tax and national insurance paid is around 325,000. This is based on data from the Labour Force Survey, and relates to earnings between the ages of 21 and 59. Estimated average gross lifetime earnings for the working population as a whole are around 675 thousand, and the average amount of lifetime income tax and national insurance paid is around 175,000. We would expect the estimates for non-graduates to be lower than these figures. Figures are rounded to nearest 25,000.

Gymnasiums

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many gyms are available to the staff in the Department; and what the cost of providing them was in the last year for which figures are available.

Derek Twigg: My Department is committed to providing staff with pro-active occupational health policies and uses health awareness programmes to promote and encourage healthy lifestyle options.
	Staff who work in London and Sheffield have access to on site gyms. Both gyms are funded by the Civil Service Sports Council and are supported locally by staff using the facilities. The department's financial commitment to both gyms is nominal and covers space, cleaning, heating and lighting. Staff working in London also have access to the Civil Service Sports Council Recreation Centre in SW1 which is only five minutes from the department's headquarter offices.
	In Sheffield, Runcorn and Darlington corporate discounts have been negotiated locally with both local authority and private fitness and leisure centres. My department does not subsidise individual members of staff using these facilities.
	For staff that prefer alternative fitness programmes there are local arrangements in place during lunchtime and after work, subject to demand, for exercise classes such as yoga, aerobics and pilates. The department's financial commitment is again nominal and covers space, cleaning, heating and lighting.

Human Rights Act

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many cases have been brought against his Department under the Human Rights Act 1998; and what has been the cost in (a) legal fees to defend cases and (b) compensation payments.

Stephen Twigg: Very few cases brought against the Department have been founded solely on a claim for a breach of a Convention right. Convention rights will more often be relied on as part of other legal proceedings. We do not collect central records of all cases in which the Human Rights Act 1998 is relied on, nor of the cost to the Department of legal fees or compensation payments in cases which include this human rights element.
	However the case of Douglas v. Secretary of State for Education and Skills was founded wholly on a claim for an alleged breach of Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms taken together with Article 2 of the First Protocol to the Convention. The Department successfully defended the claim and as a result no compensation was ordered. No order for costs was made so the Department bore its own costs which came to 20,586.
	In addition the current case of Williamson v. Secretary of State for Education and Skills is concerned mainly with Article 9 of, and Article 2 of the first protocol to, the Convention. This case has not been concluded; it has been heard in the House of Lords but judgment has not been given.
	It is not possible to apportion costs and compensation payments for those other cases in which a human rights claim was included without reviewing all cases brought against the Department since October 2000. This would give rise to disproportionate cost.

International Students (Visas)

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received on (a) current and (b) proposed charges for visa extension applications made by international students.

Kim Howells: In 2003, my Department received a number of representations from institutions and other organisations in the education sector on the introduction of charges for applications to extend leave to remain in the UK. Representations have also been received from institutions and students expressing concern regarding the proposed charges and the impact upon international students.

Invoice Payments

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average length of time was between the date of invoices issued to his Department from a supplier and payment by the Department of the invoice in the last 12 months for which figures are available; what percentage of these invoices were paid within 30 days of the date of issue of the invoice; what percentage of these invoices remained unpaid after 90 days; and if he will make a statement on the Department's policy on the payment of invoices issued to it.

Stephen Twigg: I have been asked to reply. 
	During the period 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004 the Department paid supplier invoices, on average, within 15 working days (unaudited figure). During this period, the Department paid 95.4 per cent. of undisputed invoices within 30 days or the agreed credit terms. Data on invoices remaining unpaid after 90 days is only available at disproportionate cost.
	The Government are committed to improving the payment culture in the UK in order to create a fair and stable environment for business transactions. Government departments and their agencies should aim to pay all invoices not in dispute within 30 days or within the agreed contractual terms if otherwise specified. The Department supports this policy.

Literacy/Numeracy

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2004, Official Report, column 775W, on literacy and numeracy, what percentage of (a) Key Stage 2 pupils and (b) Key Stage 3 pupils reached the required standards in (i) literacy, (ii) numeracy and (iii) literacy and numeracy in each year since 1997 in (A) Haltemprice and Howden and (B) England.

Stephen Twigg: The percentage of Key Stage 2 pupils achieving level 4 or above in English and mathematics for 19972003 are as follows:
	
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002(42) 2003(42) 
		
		
			 Haltemprice and Howden 
			 English 69 72 77 84 82 82 80 
			 Mathematics 70 71 76 79 77 80 78 
			 English and maths  76 71 
			 
			 England
			 English 63 65 71 75 75 75 75 
			 Mathematics 62 59 69 72 71 73 73 
			 English and maths  66 66 
		
	
	(42) The English and mathematics combined information for Haltemprice and Howden are different to the other results as they are pupil-residency based and are only available from 2002 onwards as this is when PLASC data first became available to use.
	Figures for 2004 by parliamentary constituency are not yet available, but will be placed in the Library as soon as possible.
	The percentage of Key Stage 3 pupils achieving level 5 or above in English and mathematics for 19972003 are as follows:
	
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002(43) 2003(43) 
		
		
			 Haltemprice and Howden 
			 English 65 68 67 69 67 70 77 
			 Mathematics 69 65 70 74 72 72 73 
			 English and maths  69 73 
			 
			 England
			 English 57 65 64 64 65 67 69 
			 Mathematics 60 59 62 65 66 67 71 
			 English and maths  58 62 
		
	
	(43) The English and mathematics combined information for Haltemprice and Howden are different to the other results as they are pupil-residency based and are only available from 2002 onwards as this is when PLASC data first became available to use.
	KS3 2004 figures will be made available soon after publication of the KS3 Attainment and Achievement Tables (March 2005).

Motoring Offences

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of drivers involved in fatal traffic accidents were (a) uninsured and (b) driving a car that did not have a valid MOT in each year since 1997, broken down by (i) gender and (ii) police authority region.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested is not available.

OECD Programme for International Student Assessment

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what reason she has adduced for the decline in Britain's place from eighth to eighteenth in the league table under the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment in respect of mathematics;
	(2)  what reason she has adduced for the decline in Britain's place from seventh to eleventh in the league table under the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment in respect of reading;
	(3)  what reason she has adduced for the decline in Britain's place from fourth to eleventh in the league table under the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment in respect of science.

Stephen Twigg: It is the view of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the body overseeing the running of PISA, that the data for the United Kingdom from the 2003 study cannot be reliably compared with other countries' scores or with UK PISA results from 2000. It would therefore not be appropriate to try to construct rankings for the UK against the advice of the OECD, still less to draw conclusions from doing so.

Parliamentary Questions

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what target his Department sets for the maximum acceptable time to respond in full to a parliamentary question; and what percentage of answers given by his Department failed to meet this target in each parliamentary session from 199798 to 200304.

Derek Twigg: Departments aim to ensure that Members receive a substantive response to their named day question on the named day and to endeavour to answer ordinary written questions within a working week of being tabled. Unfortunately, this is not always possible but this Department makes every effort to achieve these timescales.
	Information for named day questions for parliamentary sessions since 2001 is set out in the following table. Information for ordinary written questions and for sessions previous to 2001 could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Session Percentage of named day questions receiving a substantive answer on named day 
		
		
			 200102 20 June 2001 to 7 November 2002 54 
			 200203 13 November 2002 to 20 November 2003 36 
			 200304 26 November 2003 to 18 November 2004 30

Partnership for Schools

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the relationship is between his Department and Partnerships for Schools; and who the members of the board of Partnerships for Schools are.

Stephen Twigg: Partnerships for Schools is an Executive NDPB of the DfES. It is a company limited by shares wholly owned by the Secretary of State and is co-financed and co-managed under a joint venture agreement between DfES and Partnerships UK.
	Its board members are Peter Stanton-Ife and Stephen Crowne.

Prison Education

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what courses are available for prisoners wishing to pursue education above level three.

Ivan Lewis: Offenders in custody can enrol with the Open University to pursue higher education courses.
	Since 2002, we have provided 728,000 working with the Prisoners' Education Trust to support undergraduate students on Open University courses and to support the introduction of new Openings courses, which provide access to HE courses for those without suitable prior qualifications. The scheme is supporting 1,100 students in the current year.

Public Bodies

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people are employed by the (a) Union Learning Fund, (b) Adult Learning Inspectorate, (c) Well Being Project, (d) National College of School Leadership, (e) Sector Skills Development Agency and (f) Implementation Review Unit; what the running cost of each body was in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the future of each body.

Stephen Twigg: The information requested is listed as follows:
	Union Learning Fund
	The Union Learning Fund is a source of funding not a body or unit. It does not employ any staff.
	Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI)
	(a) At 31 March 2004, the ALI employed 247.8 staff on a full time equivalent basis.
	(b) The most recent published accounts for the ALI are for 200304, in which the running costs of the body were 27.81 million.
	(c) We keep the ALI under review, in accordance with Government guidelines, to ensure that its functions are still required and that the Inspectorate still provides the most effective means of carrying out those functions.
	Well-Being Project
	The Well-Being Project Pilot in London is run by Worklife Support which is part of the Teacher Support Network and not the Department for Education and Skills.
	National College for School Leadership (NCSL)
	(a) At 6 December 2004, the NCSL employed 237.3 staff on a full-time equivalent basis.
	(b) The most recent published accounts for the NCSL are for 200304, in which the running costs of the body were 13.1 million.
	(c) A recent review has confirmed that the NCSL should remain in being.
	Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA)
	(a) At 31 March 2004 the SSDA employed 65 staff on a full-time equivalent basis
	(b) The most recent published accounts for the SSDA are for the 200304 financial year, in which the administrative costs of the body were 4.93 million.
	(c) We keep the SSDA under review, in accordance with Government guidelines, to ensure that its functions are still required and that the SSDA still provides the most effective means of carrying out those functions.
	Implementation Review Unit (IRU)
	(a) The IRU does not employ any staff. Secretariat services are provided by Department for Education and Skills staff and one LEA adviser.
	(b) The IRU's running costs for the 200304 financial year were 348,967.
	(c) We keep the IRU under review, in accordance with Government guidelines, to ensure that its functions are still required and that the IRU still provides the most effective means of carrying out those functions.

Pupil Mobility

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research he has carried out, and what conclusions he has reached, on the effect of in-year pupil mobility on educational achievement; and what rates of pupil mobility were experienced in 200304 in each local education authority-supported school in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Stephen Twigg: The Department has not conducted any research into the particular effects of in-year pupil mobility on educational achievement.
	However, some general research has been conducted into the nature and causes of pupil mobility in schools. A report published by the Department in 1999 concludes that high pupil mobility in schools is strongly associated with factors of social deprivation, family break-up, temporary accommodation and other rented housing occupied by poorer families moving around.
	In terms of the link between pupil mobility and achievement, analysis of provisional 2004 GCSE data shows that pupils who joined their current secondary school at any time other than the start of a school year (in-year mobility), on average, achieved 27 GCSE points fewer at age 15 than other pupils with similar characteristics, including similar attainment at age 11. This approximately equates to achieving one grade lower in 4 or 5 subjects at GCSE.
	With regard to the pupil mobility rates, the Department collects mobility indicators for primary schools. The mobility indicator is defined as the percentage of pupils eligible for Key Stage 2 assessment that are included in the value added calculation, who took both their Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 tests at the same school.
	The mobility indicator for each local education authority-supported school in Newcastle upon Tyne in 2003/04 is given in the following table:
	
		Primary school mobility indicators, 2003/04, Newcastle upon Tyne
		
			 Name of school Postcode Mobility indicator (percentage) 
		
		
			 Beech Hill Primary School NE5 2LW 7 
			 Atkinson Road Primary School NE4 8XT 68 
			 Throckley Primary School NE159JN (44) 
			 Newburn Manor Primary School NE158PY (44) 
			 Walbottle Village Primary School NE158JL (44) 
			 West Denton Primary School NE51DN (44) 
			 Knop Law First School NE51LH (44) 
			 Milecastle Primary School NE51LH (44) 
			 Cheviot Primary School NE54EB 75 
			 Waverley Primary School NE157QZ (44) 
			 Simonside Primary School NE54LG 76 
			 Fame Primary School NE54AP 100 
			 Lemington Riverside Primary School NE158RR (44) 
			 Westerhope Primary School NE51NE  
			 Byker Primary School NE6 2AT 70 
			 West Jesmond Primary School NE2 3AJ 83 
			 Benton Park Primary School NE7 7SS 82 
			 Hawthorn Primary School NE4 6SB 52 
			 Canning Street Primary School NE4 SPA 63 
			 Chillingham Road Primary School NE6 5XL 72 
			 Cragside Primary School NE7 7EL 86 
			 Delaval Community Primary School NE156NR 72 
			 Broadwood Primary School NE157TB 67 
			 Tyneview Primary School NE6 3QP 72 
			 North Fawdon Primary School NE3 2SL 92 
			 Hilton Primary School NE53RN 70 
			 Montagu Primary School NE5 3HY 43 
			 Mountfield Primary School NE3 3AT 76 
			 Ravenswood Primary School NE6 5TU 91 
			 South Benwell Primary School NE4 SHE 89 
			 Stocksfield Avenue Primary School NE52DQ 81 
			 Walkergate Primary School NE6 4SD 86 
			 Thomas Walling Primary School NE5 3PL 70 
			 Welbeck Primary School NE6 2QL 81 
			 Westgate Hill Primary School NE4 6NY 70 
			 West Walker Primary School NE6 3XB 85 
			 Wharrier Street Primary School NE63EY 80 
			 Wingrove Primary School NE4 9HP 58 
			 Wyndham Primary School NE3 4QP 91 
			 Kenton Bar Primary School NE3 3YF 77 
			 Kingston Park Primary School NE3 2EL 79 
			 Hotspur Primary School NE6 SPA 84 
			 Moorside Community Primary School NE4 SAW 73 
			 Christ Church C of E Primary School, Newcastle NE2 1XA 75 
			 St. Anthony's C of E Primary School NE6 3SU 77 
			 St. Charles' RC Primary School NE3 SHE 93 
			 St. Oswald's RC Primary School NE3 5LE 94 
			 St. Mark's RC Primary School NE5 4BT 78 
			 St. George's RC Primary School NE156XX 78 
			 St. Cuthbert's RC Primary School NE158JL 89 
			 St. John Vianney RC Primary School NE51DN 93 
			 St. Paul's C of E Primary School NE4 7JU 88 
			 English Martyrs' RC Primary School NE5 2SA 85 
			 Sacred Heart RC Primary School NE4 9XZ 97 
			 St. Bede's RC Primary School NE157HS 76 
			 St. Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School NE3 3QR 97 
			 St. Catherine's RC Primary School NE21PS 72 
			 St. Joseph's RC Primary School NE156JB 86 
			 St. Lawrence's RC Primary School NE6 2JX 97 
			 Our Lady and St. Anne's RC Voluntary Aided Primary School NE4 6EB 85 
			 St. Michael's RC Primary School NE4 7RE 79 
			 St. Teresa's Catholic Primary School NE6 5HN 94 
			 St. Vincent's RC Primary School NE6 2TX 97 
			 St. Alban's RC Primary School NE6 4HQ 86 
			 Chapel Park Middle School NE5 1SH 0 
			 Chapel House Middle School NE51EL 0 
			 Throckley Middle School NE159DY 0 
			 Gosforth Central Middle School NE31UN 0 
			 Gosforth West Middle School NE3 1DY 0 
			 Gosforth East Middle School NE3 5JT 0 
			 Trinity School NE4 8XJ (45) 
			 Hadrian School NE156PX 77 
			 Thomas Bewick School NE51DP (45) 
		
	
	(44) No data was made available for those schools.
	(45) Small schools with less than 11 pupils. In these cases results were not included.

Pupils' English

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what evidence the Pupil Level Annual Schools Census data provides of the capacity of pupils in primary schools to be taught through the medium of English.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 13 December 2004
	Data collected via the Pupil Level Annual Schools Census (PLASC) does not provide the requested evidence.
	PLASC does collect individual pupil records which include information on whether the pupils' first language is English. First language is defined as the language to which the child was initially exposed during early development.
	PLASC does not collect data on the relative English language fluency of those pupils recorded as having a first language other than English.
	National Curriculum Assessment and GCSE/GNVQ Attainment by Pupil Characteristics is now published by the DfES annually. This includes separate data on achievement by pupils whose first language is English and whose first language is other than English.

Qualifications

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school pupils passed (a) four GCSEs and (b) one GNVQ in each year since 1994.

Stephen Twigg: The information requested is:
	
		Number of 15-year-old pupils achieving(47)
		
			  Number of 15-year-old pupils 4 GCSEs(46) 1 GNVQ(46) 4GCSEs and 1 GNVQ 
		
		
			 2004 644,248 14,117 48,906 1,053 
			 2003 622,122 11,971 81,587 1,328 
			 2002 606,554 10,488 42,244 725 
			 2001 603,318 9,904 20,094 363 
			 2000 580,393 9,088 13,684 275 
			 1999 580,972 9,375 10,747 181 
			 1998 575,210 9,790 6,710 154 
			 1997 586,766 9,988   
			 1996 594,035 10,367   
			 1995 578,197 10,422   
			 1994 532,273 10,321   
		
	
	(46) The figures given are for pupils who achieved exactly four GCSEsnot four or more GCSEs. Similarly, for GNVQs, the figures refer to the number of pupils who achieved exactly 1 GNVQ.
	(47) The information is derived from data collated for the Secondary School performance tables that are published annually.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the remit is of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's consultation on the proposed new framework for achievement; and how it differs from the remit of the Tomlinson Commission.

Stephen Twigg: The remit of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's consultation on the proposed new framework for achievement is the reform of Vocational Qualifications and the establishment of a credit framework for adults in England by 2006.
	The Working Group on 1419 Reform, chaired by Mike Tomlinson, was remitted to make recommendations to strengthen the structure and content of full time vocational programmes; create appropriate assessment arrangements for this phase of education; ensure more young people remain in education and training beyond 16 and are better prepared for adult and working life.
	We will be considering the Report carefully. Our intention is to make positive and detailed proposals in the form of a White Paper in the new year. We will ensure that this is compatible with the framework for achievement proposals.

School Finance

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the (a) average primary formula spending share per pupil and (b) average secondary formula spending share per pupil was in each local education authority in 199697, listed in descending order of secondary formula allocations.

Stephen Twigg: Changes to the funding system in 200304 and local authority boundary changes resulting from the local government reorganisation mean that figures comparable to the formula spending share are not available for 199697.

School Meals

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what steps she is taking to restrict the amounts of (a) salt, (b) fat and (c) sugar in school meals;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the implications of introducing a national healthy school meals menu.

Derek Twigg: Government introduced regulations setting minimum school lunch nutritional standards in April 2001. Subject to meeting the standards, it is for local education authorities or, where the budget for lunches is delegated to them, a school's governing body to decide the ingredients to be used and dishes to be served.
	1.1 million is being provided by DfES, the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the Department of Health and DEFRA to fund initiatives to improve school meals. We are:
	revising the secondary school lunch standards to reduce pupils' salt, sugar and fats intake and increase their fruit and vegetable consumption;
	evaluating primary school lunch standards to establish where revision is needed;
	producing guidance for schools on procuring healthier meals;
	developing school catering training.

Sickness Absence

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many days sick leave were taken by civil servants in the Department in each year since 1997; and what the sickness absence rate was in each year.

Stephen Twigg: My Department remains committed to managing sickness absence effectively and to putting in place the recommendations of the recently published report Managing Sickness Absence in the Public Sector.
	I would refer the right hon. Member to the figures contained in the annual report Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service published by Cabinet Office. Table A of the report gives details of both the average number of working days lost through sickness for each staff year and the number of staff years on which the calculation is based. The most recent report is for calendar year 2003 and was announced by Written Ministerial Statement on 1 November 2004, Official Report, 1WS and copies placed in the Libraries of the House. Reports for 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 are available on the Cabinet Office website at: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_information/ conditions_of_service/caje/publications/index.asp# sickness.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many complaints were made by departmental civil servants regarding the conduct of special advisers between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004.

Stephen Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the then Minister for the Cabinet Office on 13 December 2004, Official Report, column 946W.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  whether departmental special advisers have been responsible for authorising instances of departmental spending since May 1997;
	(2)  whether departmental special advisers have given instructions to permanent civil servants without the explicit authorisation of Ministers since May 1997.

Stephen Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 16 December 2004, Official Report, column 1258W.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether departmental special advisers have written to external (a) bodies and (b) individuals in their official capacity since May 1997.

Stephen Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the then Minister for the Cabinet Office on 14 December 2004, Official Report, column 1004W.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether departmental special advisers have made appearances before parliamentary select committees in their official capacity since May 1997.

Stephen Twigg: No special advisers from the Department for Education and Skills or its predecessor, the Department for Education and Employment, have made appearances before parliamentary select committees in their official capacity since May 1997.

Student Drop-outs

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the cost of students dropping out of their first degree courses in the latest year for which figures are available.

Kim Howells: The Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) teaching funding method provides funding for students who complete their course of study. Students who do not complete their course are not fundable. Figures for the public costs of student support for higher education students who do not complete their courses are not available: but student loans are, of course, repayable by them on the same terms as other students.
	The latest data, for student starting courses in 200102, show that non-completion rates are somewhat lower than those starting courses in 199798.
	Figures published in 2004 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) show that the UK as a whole has one of the lowest non-completion rates among OECD countries.

Student Finance

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the expected future income stream to the Treasury from university tuition and top-up fees is in each of the next 15 years; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: University tuition fees are paid to higher education institutions (HEI), not the Treasury. That will continue to be the case when variable deferred fees are introduced. From 2006, either the student will pay their fees direct to the HEI or (for students opting to take out the new loan for fees) the Student Loans Company will pay the HEI on the student's behalf. Because of the nature of the variable scheme, the income generated by HEIs will vary considerably, depending on their pricing and marketing strategies and the take-up of places by potential students.

Student Finance

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the Government's actual expenditure on the interest subsidy on student loans was in the academic years (a) 200102, (b) 200203, (c) 200304 and (d) 200405.

Kim Howells: The Secretary of State for Education and Skills only has responsibility for student loans paid to higher education students domiciled in England and Wales and this answer provides data relating to those students.
	The following table provides the expected future interest subsidy over the loan's life for each year's loan issues. This represents the anticipated whole resource cost of the loans advanced during the year in question. The table also gives the actual amount by which the Government subsidised the interest charged on student loans annually. This represents the resource consumed in the financial year in question of subsidising the whole outstanding loan book. Calculations are based on financial rather than academic years:
	
		 million
		
			 Financial year Future interest subsidy charge Annual interest subsidy 
		
		
			 200102 773 376 
			 200203 959 544 
			 200304 600 427 
		
	
	Source:
	DfES Resource Accounts
	The Government's cost of capital rate changed from 6 per cent. to 3.5 per cent. on 1 April 2003, therefore, the earlier years are not comparable with later years. Actual figures for 200405 are not yet available.

Teachers

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the resignation rate of teachers was in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by region; and what percentage of each region's teacher workforce each represents.

Stephen Twigg: The information is not collected in the format requested.
	The latest information on teacher turnover and wastage is provided in the following table. Additional information on wastage rates are contained in the School Workforce in England volume 2003 edition, a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons Library. It is also available at the following URL:
	http://www.dfes.qov.uk/rsqatewav/DBA/OL/v000443/index.shtml
	
		Teacher FlowsTurnover and wastage rates of qualified teachers by Government Office regionEngland -- (percentages)
		
			  Full-time Part-timel Full-time and part-time(48) 
			  Turnover rate(49) Wastage rate(50) Turnover rate(51) Wastage rate(52) Wastage rate(53) 
		
		
			 Government Office region 2001/200 2(54) 
			 North East 15.3 7.9 35.7 27.1 7.0 
			 North West 16.8 9.2 31.5 26.5 7.9 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 16.7 8.9 27.6 23.0 7.6 
			 East Midlands 19.8 9.5 29.5 23.6 8.3 
			 West Midlands 17.7 8.7 32.2 27.1 7.7 
			 East of England 23.0 11.0 36.9 27.0 9.6 
			 London 23.0 11.9 27.9 21.5 9.6 
			 of which:  
			 inner London 25.1 13.6 27.2 22.0 10.2 
			 outer London 21.9 11.0 28.2 21.3 9.4 
			 South East 20.5 11.8 30.1 25.2 10.5 
			 South West 17.5 10.4 31.3 26.3 9.2 
			 England 
			 2000/01 18.0 9.9 34.1 28.5 9.1 
			 2001/02(54) 19.2 10.1 31.1 25.1 8.8 
			 2002/03(54) 17.9 10.0 30.2 24.9 8.9 
		
	
	(48) 1020 per cent. of part-time teachers may not be included in the data.
	(49) Full-time turnover is defined as all teachers in full-time service in the English maintained schools sector on 31 March 2001 who were not in full-time service in the same establishment on 31 March 2002. Turnover therefore includes wastage, transfers to other establishments within the maintained schools sector and teachers leaving to part-time service. Not all employers record all movements between schools within their employ so rates are underestimated.
	(50) Full-time wastage is defined as all teachers in full-time service in the English maintained schools sector on 31 March 2001 who were not in full-time service anywhere in the English maintained schools sector on 31 March 2002. This includes teachers leaving to part-time service.
	(51) Part-time turnover is defined as all teachers in part-time service in the English maintained schools sector on 31 March 2001 who were not in part-time service in the same establishment on 31 March 2002. Turnover therefore includes wastage, transfers to other establishments within the maintained schools sector and teachers leaving to full-time service. Not all employers record all movements between schools within their employ so rates are underestimated.
	(52) Part-time wastage is defined as all teachers in part-time service in the English maintained schools sector on 31 March 2001 who were not in part-time service anywhere in the English maintained schools sector on 31 March 2002. This includes teachers leaving to full-time service.
	(53) Full-time and part-time wastage is defined as all teachers in full-time or part-time service in the English maintained schools sector on 31 March 2001 who were not in full-time or part-time service anywhere in the English maintained schools sector on 31 March 2002. This does not include moves between full-time and part-time service.
	(54) Provisional data.
	Source:
	Database of Teacher Records

Teachers

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the retention rate in percentage terms was for registered trainee teachers after (a) one year of teaching, (b) two years of teaching and (c) five years of teaching in the latest year for which figures are available.

Stephen Twigg: The following table gives the percentage of newly qualified teachers who entered full time and part-time regular service in 200102, 199900 and 199798 who remained in regular service in maintained sector schools at March 2003. This is the latest year for which figures are available.
	
		
			 Year of entry Percentage in service March 2003 
		
		
			 200102 90.7 
			 19992000 80.3 
			 199798 74.2 
		
	
	Source:
	Database of Teachers' Records.
	Information is provisional.
	Teachers who have left service may be out of service temporarily or in service outside of the English maintained sector.

Teachers

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his estimate is of the total number of teacher vacancies of longer than three months duration in (a) the primary sector, (b) the secondary sector and (c) further education.

Stephen Twigg: The information is not collected centrally.
	General vacancy information for primary and secondary sectors is available from SFR 34/2004, a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons Library. It is also available at the following URL: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsaateway/DB/SFR/s000493/index.shtml

Teachers

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many secondary school teachers left the profession before completing five years of teaching (a) in total and (b) broken down by subject, in (i) England, (ii) each region and (iii) each local education authority in the latest year for which figures are available.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 14 December 2004
	The following tables give the number of full-time and part-time newly qualified teachers who first entered regular service in maintained secondary schools in the financial year 199697, who were not in such service at March 2002 broken down by subject of initial teacher training and government office region of first entry. This is the latest year available by government office region.
	National figures are also given for teachers who entered service in 199798 who had left service by March 2003 by subject. This is not available by government office region.
	Information is not available at local education authority level.
	
		Newly qualified teachers entering secondary service and then leaving service within the following 5 years by Government Office Region
		
			  Maths English Science Modem Foreign Languages Technology History 
		
		
			 Year of entry 199697   
			 North East 20 30 30 20 20 10 
			 North West 40 50 70 40 30 20 
			 Yorkshire and the Number 30 40 40 30 30 10 
			 East Midlands 20 30 30 30 10 10 
			 West Midlands 30 40 50 40 20 20 
			 East of England 30 80 70 70 40 20 
			 London 70 100 80 60 50 30 
			 South East 70 90 110 90 60 30 
			 South West 30 40 50 40 30 20 
			
			 England 340 500 510 400 270 170 
			
			 Year of entry 199798   
			 England 300 550 490 380 130 160 
		
	
	
		
			  Geography Art Music Religious Education Physical Education Other/unknown Total 
		
		
			 Year of entry 199697
			 North East 10  10 10 10 10 130 
			 North West 10 10 10 20 10 20 300 
			 Yorkshire and the Number 10 10 10 10 20 10 200 
			 East Midlands 10 10 10  20 20 150 
			 West Midlands 10 10 10 10 20 30 230 
			 East of England 20 20 20 30 30 40 370 
			 London 30 20 20 20 30 50 520 
			 South East 40 40 20 20 50 50 610 
			 South West 10 10 10 10 20 20 240 
			 
			 England 140 130 110 120 210 250 2,750 
			 
			 Year of entry 199798
			 England 190 310 100 140 250 220 2,830 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Data are provisional.
	2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	3.  zero or less than 5.
	4. 1020 per cent. of teachers may not be included in the data.
	5. Teachers are counted for each subject of teacher training and therefore may appear more than once where they have more than one subject of qualification. Teachers appear only once in the overall totals however and therefore these figures are lower than the sum of the individual subjects.
	6. There was a change in the categorisation of Art and Technology between the two years and the figures for these subjects are therefore not comparable.
	7. Teachers who have left service may be out of service temporarily or in service outside of the English maintained secondary sector.
	Source:
	Database of Teachers' Records.

Teachers

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to move pension provisions for teachers employed by local authorities into line with those employed by the local education authority.

Stephen Twigg: The Teachers' Pension Scheme (England and Wales) covers all teachers employed by, or in, schools maintained by a local education authority as well as any teachers employed directly by a local authority. The Teachers' Pension Scheme is a group scheme and all scheme members have access to the same range of benefits.

Teachers

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the mean age at which teachers retired was (a) on the latest date for which figures are available and (b) in 1994; and what estimate he has made of the likely mean age at which teachers will retire in 2014.

Stephen Twigg: The average age of retirement of teachers in the Teachers' Pension Scheme, whose last service was in the maintained sector in England in 200304, excluding those retiring on ill health grounds, was 59. This is the latest year for which figures are available. In 199394 the average age was 58. No estimate has been made of the likely mean age at which teachers will retire in 2014.
	The following table gives the average age of teachers at retirement broken down by the type of retirement.
	
		Year of retirement
		
			  200304 199394 
		
		
			 Age 61 62 
			 Premature 57 56 
			 Actuarially reduced 57 (55) 
			 Total 59 58 
		
	
	(55) Not applicable: Actuarially reduced pension benefits were introduced from 200001.
	Note:
	Information for 200304 is provisional.
	Source:
	Pensioner Statistical System

Travel Costs

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total travel costs to his Department have been for (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials for each year since 1997.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 9 December 2004
	Since 1999, the Government publishes, on an annual basis, the total costs of all ministerial overseas travel and a list of all visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of 500. Copies of the lists are available in the Library of the House. Details on the cost of Ministers' domestic travel are not held centrally and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
	According to our records a special adviser accompanied the Secretary of State on the following overseas visits:
	
		
			  Number of overseas visits Average cost for special adviser per visit () 
		
		
			 1997 4 381 
			 1998 4 766 
			 1999 0  
			 2000 0  
			 2001 0  
			 2002 2 883 
			 2003 2 446 
		
	
	Details on the cost of special advisers' domestic travel are not held centrally and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
	Information on travel costs for officials is not held centrally and can only be obtained at disproportionate costs.
	All travel is undertaken in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

Universities (Science)

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action she is taking to maintain the level of provision of science-based courses at universities.

Kim Howells: The Secretary of State wrote to the Higher Education Funding Councils for England (HEFCE) on 1 December seeking their advice on subjects or courses of national strategic, where intervention might be appropriate to strengthen or secure them.

Universities (Science)

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the closure of science-based departments at UK universities.

Kim Howells: Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous organisations responsible for their own academic direction and strategic use of funds. The Government are nevertheless concerned to ensure that the UK has the right stock and flow of skilled scientists. The Science and Innovation Investment framework 20042014, published in July, set out a range of measures to address this.
	More recently, the Secretary of State wrote to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) seeking their advice on subjects or courses of national strategic importance, where intervention might be appropriate to strengthen or secure them.

Universities (Science)

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many science-based departments have closed in universities since 1997.

Kim Howells: The information requested is not available. Universities are autonomous institutions, free to make decisions about courses and departments without consulting Government. The Department for Trade and Industry analysis for The Science and Innovation Investment Framework estimated that approximately 15 physics and 11 chemistry departments closed in the past 10 years.

University Admissions

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he expects to announce the conclusions of his review of benchmarks for university admissions based on (a) state schools and (b) socio-economic status; and when this review commenced.

Kim Howells: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 10 November when I said that I will look at the benchmarks to see if there is any way they can be improved or better understood. I have not announced a specific timescale for this work.

University Enrolments

Alan Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many full-time higher education students were enrolled at universities and colleges in England in each of the past 10 years.

Kim Howells: The available information is given in the table.
	
		Full-time enrolments at English institutions, 199394 to 200203
		
			 Academic year Postgraduates Undergraduates Total HE 
		
		
			 1993/94 93,035 755,750 848,785 
			 1994/95 106,205 798,075 904,285 
			 1995/96 111,060 834,905 945,965 
			 1996/97 116,065 852,905 968,970 
			 1997/98 118,015 876,600 994,615 
			 1998/99 121,500 881,990 1,003,490 
			 1999/00 125,815 877,470 1,003,280 
			 2000/01 133,020 880,955 1,013,980 
			 2001/02 143,130 900,265 1,043,395 
			 2002/03 159,995 930,735 1,090,730 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures are on a snapshot basis as at 1 December and as at the 1 November for FESR institutions. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.
	Source:
	Higher Education Statistics Agency, Universities Statistical Record and the Further Education Statistical Record (FESR).

University Entry

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many UK citizens of (a) Asian, (b) black, (c) Chinese and (d) white background were admitted to universities in England in 2004.

Kim Howells: The latest available information covers applicants accepted through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) to full-time undergraduate courses for entry in 2003. The figures are in the table. Figures for 2004 entry are due for release by UCAS in January.
	
		UK domiciled applicants accepted onto full-time undergraduate courses at English institutions, 2003 entry
		
			 Ethnicity Accepted applicants Percentage of known ethnicity 
		
		
			 White 202,842 80.0 
			 Black Caribbean 3,627 1.4 
			 Black African 7,548 3.0 
			 Black Other 914 0.4 
			 Indian 13,621 5.4 
			 Pakistani 7,839 3.1 
			 Bangladeshi 2,474 1.0 
			 Chinese 2,906 1.1 
			 Other Asian 3,492 1.4 
			 Mixed 6,155 2.4 
			 Other 2,107 0.8 
			 Total Known 253,525 100.0 
			 Not Known 21,458  
			 Total 274,983  
		
	
	Source:
	Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

University Fees

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her latest estimate is of the number of universities expected to charge the maximum 3,000 fee in 2006; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Government does not have a particular expectation of the pattern of fee charging. The level of fees to charge, up to the maximum of 3,000, is for the universities themselves to decide, provided that they can satisfy the Office for Fair Access in respect of their access plans.

Vending Machines

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage the sale of healthy foods by vending machines in schools.

Derek Twigg: School head teachers and governing bodies decide whether to install vending machines in schools, and if so, what products should be sold. However, we plan to extend our nutritional standards for school lunches to cover food consumed in schools throughout the day.
	Across government we are taking forward a number of initiatives that focus on healthy vending machines in schools. The Department of Health's (DoH) strand of the joint DfES/DoH Food in Schools programme includes a pilot project on healthier vending. Information can be viewed on their website: http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCareTopics/FoodInSchools/fs/en.
	The Food Standards Agency recently published a toolkit entitled Vending Healthy Drinks. The guide provides information on healthy vending machines selling drinks such as milk, pure fruit juice and water. The guide can be viewed on the website: http://www.food.gov.uk/news/pressreleases/2004/oct/vendinghealthy.

Verwood Trinity School

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the Answer of 9 December 2004, Official Report, column 780W, on Verwood Trinity School, whether her Department accepts liability for the 200,000 debt.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 20 December
	No. This is a commitment taken on in respect of the school without agreement from the Department that it would be funded. However, as indicated in the answer on 9 December, we will review the position on providing grant support towards the costs nearer the end of the financial year.

Vocational Qualifications

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action he is taking to improve the coherence and convergence of funding streams for vocational education within schools, further and higher education.

Kim Howells: The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) as the planner and funder of all post-16 vocational learning, excluding higher education, is responsible for working towards coherence within the sector and my officials are ensuring the input of schools and higher education interests to the council's work. The Higher Education Funding Council and the LSC are also working together to reduce the burdens placed on further education colleges that deliver higher education and also looking at how they can support progression for students. Our response in the new year to the Tomlinson proposals will take forward our work to ensure better coherence in learning, particularly vocational provision, for young people.

Working Time Regulations

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many officials working in ministerial private offices in the Department have worked more than a 48 hour week at any time in the last 12 months for which figures are available; how many of those had signed a waiver under working time regulations; and what percentage these figures represented of the total in each case.

Derek Twigg: The Working Time Regulations provide workers with the protection of a limit of an average of 48 hours a week working time. This is not an absolute cap of 48 hours in any one week. This average is normally calculated over a 17-week reference period, although this can be longer in certain situations (26 weeks) and can be extended by agreement (up to 52 weeks). Workers may choose to work more than 48 hours per week over this reference period by signing an opt-out agreement, but employers cannot force a worker to sign an opt-out, and workers cannot be subjected to detriment for refusing to sign an opt-out.
	There are currently 21 members of staff who have signed an opt-out agreement. The Department is committed to reducing the number of employees who are required to work in excess of 48 hours per week to an absolute minimum. Hours worked by staff in Ministerial Private Office are regularly reviewed.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Age Concern

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with Age Concern representatives regarding pensions and benefits paid to the elderly living in the Greater London area.

Malcolm Wicks: We have regular discussion with Age Concern at a national level through their membership of the Partnerships against Poverty forum which brings together Government and non-government organisations to develop benefit take up strategies for pensioners. In addition, we have had local discussions with Age Concern in the Greater London area. Age Concern is also a member of a recently established joint visiting team with the local Pension Service and the Richmond Council.

Age Discrimination

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's policy is towards age discrimination.

Maria Eagle: The Department is committed to providing equality of opportunity for all employees, regardless of their age. It has a policy not to tolerate unfair discrimination on the grounds of age.
	The Department is however required to meet the Civil Service Management Code standards which set an upper age limit for retirement across the civil service of 65.
	The Department actively encourages applications from all age groups when recruiting. It accepts applications from those aged between 16 and 64. The minimum retirement age for DWP is 60; the minimum age at which employees are eligible to retire and access their civil service pension. An individual can choose to retire anytime between age 60 and 65.
	The Department reinforces its policy commitment on age discrimination by including age among the criteria which are monitored, to ensure that its policies and procedures do not have an unfair impact. A range of resources supports formal employee policies on age across the Department. Age forms a key strand of the Diversity Toolkit, a learning and information resource developed by the Department. Other initiatives include staff networking groups, supported by an Age Champion from the Department's senior management team, which have been set up to identify issues related to age diversity.
	The Department plays an active role in tackling age discrimination and promoting age diversity policies in the employment market through its work with the Age Positive campaign. It also has representation on the Executive Steering Group of the Employer's Forum on Age, a network of leading employers seeking to promote the benefits to business of attracting and retaining experienced employees, regardless of their age.

Apprenticeships

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many young people in (a) Midlothian and (b) Scotland (i) have participated in apprenticeship schemes and (ii) undertook apprenticeships between 1990 and 1997.

Anne McGuire: I have been asked to reply.
	Modern apprenticeships in Scotland are a matter for Scottish Ministers. The information is not available in the format requested. Figures for 1997 are available for Scotland as a whole; they are not broken down further by geographical area. 5,038 individuals in Scotland undertook training within a modern apprenticeship in 1997.

Council Tax Benefit

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many pensioners currently entitled to council tax benefit fail to claim (a) in total, (b) broken down by council tax band and (c) broken down by housing tenure;
	(2)  what is the total level of entitlement to council tax benefit among pensioners (a) in total, (b) broken down by council tax band and (c) broken down by housing tenure.

Chris Pond: The latest available information is in Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take Up in 2001/2002, a copy of which is in the Library. Estimates by council tax band are not available.

Council Tax Benefit

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many recipients of pension credit also receive council tax benefits.

Chris Pond: The information is not currently available. Data on which other benefits are in payment to council tax benefit recipients is taken from an annual count. The most recent available such data is for May 2003, before pension credit was introduced. Further data will not be available until late next year.

Child Support Agency

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to assist parents who are financially worse off as a result of the delay in migration of Child Support Agency cases from the old to the new system.

Chris Pond: We have always made it clear that old scheme cases will not be transferred to the new scheme until we are sure that the new arrangements are working well. Money continues to flow under the old scheme to children. We believe it is better to ensure that this flow of money continues rather than put at risk these cases by bringing them across before we are sure that the new system is robust.

Dangerous Substances

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to update the 1991 Report on Major Hazard Aspects of the Transport of Dangerous Substances; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Pond: We have no plans to update the 1991 Report on Major Hazard aspects of the Transport of Dangerous Substances.
	Policy responsibility for the carriage of dangerous goods transferred to the Department for Transport in April 2004.

Departmental Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the cost of building refurbishment carried out by his Department in each of the last two years.

Maria Eagle: The available information is in the following table:
	
		 million
		
			  200203 200304 
		
		
			 Business-related refurbishment works  (non modernisation programme)(56) 25.819 22. 932 
			 Modernisation programme works(57) 274. 181 335.068 
			 Total 300 358 
		
	
	(56) Business-related refurbishment works are ongoing, internal changes to buildings to meet developing business needs e.g. the removal of partition walls to accommodate organisational moves of staff.
	(57) Modernisation programme works are part of a major programme funded by the Treasury to improve the way in which DWP services are delivered to the public. The physical surroundings of several of the businesses within DWP are being changed, including Jobcentre Plus, The Pensions Service and Debt Management Services. This spend is a combination of new acquisitions, major refurbishments to buildings already part of the estate, as well as the smaller, business-related refurbishment works costs. While the overall cost of the programme is known it is not possible to provide separate figures for refurbishment works.
	Note:
	Additionally, our private sector partners Land Securities Trillium are responsible for providing an ongoing maintenance programme for all buildings on the estate. DWP pays for this as part of the unitary charge for the serviced accommodation it receives at each building and it is not possible to provide separate costs for this.

Departmental Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what crche facilities are provided by his Department; and at what cost.

Maria Eagle: At August 2003, the latest date for which information is available, the department provided the following childcare facilities.
	
		
		
			  
		
		
			 Nurseries: 
			 Total Nurseries: 15 
			 Total Places 300 
			 Total Parents subsidised: 350 
			 Holiday Playschemes: 
			 Total Playschemes 45 
			 Total Places 750 
			 Total Parents Subsidised 600 
		
	
	There are no childcare vouchers in payment. Payments are made by a variety of methods including direct payment to childcare providers, formal Contracts or Service Level Agreements and in some cases direct payment to parents.
	Financial accountability is mainly at local business unit level and so exact details of the overall costs incurred in providing assistance with childcare is not readily available centrally. Investment in each childcare facility is based on a business case which must demonstrate business viability and value for money. Indication suggests that costs per year range between 700,000 and 1 million. We are unable to determine exact costs of Childcare across the Department due to differing payroll systems inherited on creation of DWP.
	The DWP Diversity and Equality Division are currently working on producing a Department wide Childcare Policy Framework for implementation in April 2005. This will allow Businesses within the Department to support individuals with childcare commitments through direct subsidy payments to parents/guardians. There are no plans to close the current provision but by implementing a policy of direct payment subsidies for parents it allows the individual to make use of provision which best suits them and their child.
	In addition there is work taking place on an underpinning childcare salary sacrifice scheme to support the Departmental Childcare Framework and provide a minimum option to all staff. The Salary Sacrifice Scheme is scheduled for April 2006 to accommodate changes to the Resource Management and Payroll systems which cannot currently accommodate this Inland Revenue initiative. On implementation eligible individuals will be able to benefit from Tax and National Insurance Savings on a sacrificed amount.

Departmental Pay

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many times the appraisal system for each pay bargaining unit in his Department has been changed in the last five years; and how many staff are fully or partly employed in connection with pay negotiations in each pay bargaining unit, broken down by grade.

Maria Eagle: In June 2001 the Department for Work and Pensions was formed from the Department of Social Security (DSS) and parts of the former Department for Education and Employment (DfEE). The department inherited seven different legacy appraisal systems. This was unsustainable given our desire for consistency and fairness throughout DWP. Staff continued to use their legacy appraisal system while a new DWP Performance and Development System (PDS) was developed. The new system was developed taking into account best practise within government and the private sector and the central rules regarding appraisals as set out in Chapter 6 of the Civil Service Management Code.
	PDS was implemented for all DWP staff up to Grade 6 (below Senior Civil Service) from April 2003.
	Of the Departments and Agencies who came together to form DWP only the former Employment Service (ES), part of DfEE, had changed its appraisal system within the last five years.
	The following table shows the numbers and grades of staff in DWP employed in connection with pay negotiation in respect of pay negations for 2004. Only a small number of the staff identified in the table are extensively engaged in the pay negotiations. Most are responsible for specific areas of pay policy and feed in their expertise to the pay negotiations at the appropriate time.
	
		
			 Grade of staff Number of staff 
		
		
			 Grade 6/Band G 1 
			 Grade 7/Band F 2 
			 SEO/Band E 1 
			 HEO/Band D 4 
			 EO/Band C 3 
			 AO/Band B 1

Departmental Policy

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether it is his Department's policy to implement the proposals in the recent cross-cutting interdepartmental review of contracting with the voluntary sector.

Chris Pond: It is the Department for Work and Pension's policy to implement the proposals of the Cross Cutting Review on the role of the Voluntary and Community Sector in Service Delivery that relate to departmental contracting with the voluntary sector. Action to implement the wider recommendations of the Review is lead by the Active Communities Unit in the Home Office.
	The department follows the cross-Government Compact framework for guiding relationships with the Voluntary and Community Sector set up in 1998. The Cross Cutting Review identified a widespread failure to implement the Compact and its Codes, and recommended that all departments take action to ensure that it is mainstreamed into normal business. The department has appointed a senior Compact Champion and established a Compact Working Group that is actively developing a Compact Implementation Strategy, working closely with the Active Communities Unit.
	The department will continue to respond constructively to all the proposals in the Cross Cutting Review, taking account of the department's wider obligations under the Chancellor's Efficiency Review.
	As an example of its constructive response, the department volunteered to take forward recommendation 18 of the Cross Cutting Review, on behalf of other Government Departments. The aim is to reduce the level of bureaucracy involved in contracting between the Voluntary and Community Sector and Government Departments. A Lead Funder project has worked with three voluntary organisationsThe Prince's Trust, NACRO and Project Full Employand sought to reduce bureaucracy through a method of passporting pre-contractual information and streamlining the monitoring of contracts post contract award. The pilots have had some success and identified opportunities for departments to become more aligned and consistent in the way they contract with this sector. The project will report back to the Home Office with a range of recommendations in March 2005. The project has established a dedicated website www.dwp.gov.uk/leadfunder where common information for each of the voluntary sector organisations is accessible to public sector funding bodies.

Departmental Properties

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many properties are held by the Department; what total floor space these properties provide; how many properties are vacant; and how much floor space vacant properties comprise.

Maria Eagle: DWP occupies approximately 1,800 buildings. The total floor space occupied by DWP in those buildings is 2,648,773m2. We have no vacant properties.
	Of the buildings we occupy 1,681 have been transferred (for value) to Land Securities Trillium under the terms of the PRIME PFI contract.

Disabilities

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of the staff employed by his Department have a declared disability.

Maria Eagle: At 30 September 2004, 6,831 out of 137,330 staff employed by DWP had a declared disability.

E-mails

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's policy is in relation to the storage and deletion of emails; and whether this policy has been reviewed in the past 12 months.

Maria Eagle: The Department for Work and Pensions continues to implement well established policies and procedures for the review and disposal of files in accordance with its administrative needs and the Public Records Act.
	Email messages that form part of the official record are saved for as long as business needs require and stored corporately in accordance with departmental record management procedures. Further email guidance is available on the National Archives website at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/electronicrecords/advice/pdf/managing_emails.pdf
	This policy has not been reviewed in the past 12 months.

Ethnic Minorities

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the extent to which his Department's policies meet the needs of ethnic minorities.

Maria Eagle: This Department published its first Race Equality Scheme Equality, Opportunity and Independence for All, in May 2002. This publication was issued as a consultation document, and following staff and stakeholder feedback, a revised scheme Realising Race Equality in the Department for Work and Pensions was published in July 2003. The scheme lists our functions and policies in order of priority for any potential impact on race equality, and sets out our plans for consultation and monitoring in respect of employment and service delivery functions.
	Details of both these schemes, and the first annual progress report, can be found on the DWP website at www.dwp.gov.uk.
	Plans are currently in train for reviewing the scheme by May 2005, in line with the legislative requirement.
	There are several ways in which we assess how our policies meet the needs of ethnic minorities.
	Impact Assessment
	We have recently worked with the Home Office, CRE and other Government Departments to produce an impact assessment tool. This tool has been used to assess several high profile policies, and is now in general use across the Department. Impact Assessment is a priority function in this Department.
	Customer satisfaction surveys
	All of the DWP agencies carry out these surveys, and all include questions on ethnicity. The 2004 survey carried out by Jobcentre Plus has been evaluated, and has shown that overall satisfaction levels of ethnic minorities are comparable to those of the white majority. 80 per cent. of black and 77 per cent. of Asian respondents were either fully or fairly satisfied with the services provided.
	Research
	A range of research has been commissioned to explore the question of ethnicity and barriers to take up of various benefits and services. These include:
	Research into experiences of lone parents from ethnic minority communities.
	Opportunities and barriers in employment and training for refugees.
	Diversity in Disability.
	Delivering benefits and services to BME older people.
	Research into the languages used by the Department to determine whether these are appropriate for our changing customer base.
	Copies of the research publications are available in the Library of the House. From the assessments made so far, action is being taken in response to the findings.
	Consultation.
	Ethnic minority outreach programmes are in place across the Department and feedback from customers involved in these help inform us whether our services are accessible to these groups. The Department has also set up the Ethnic Minority Working Party, with which we consult regularly on issues affecting ethnic minority groups. We also meet regularly with the Black and Minority Ethnic Elders Group, and the Ethnic Minority Forum, which comprises over 700 organisations, meets bi-annually.

Financial Assistance Scheme

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library a copy of the calculations of the cost of paying full compensation to all affected members under the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS), which are referred to in the minutes of the meeting between his FAS team officials and occupational pensioners on 24 November at his Department.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government have not made definitive estimates of the costs of providing assistance under the Financial Assistance Scheme. Definitive estimates will be made public once they are available. The full extent of losses can only be known once all potentially eligible schemes have been identified and information obtained on the individuals affected and the scale of their losses. Calculations made in advance of this data being available are inherently provisional. To release any such provisional calculations could be misleading. In accordance with Part 2, paragraph 11 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, I will not be releasing any calculations relating to incomplete research and analysis.

Freedom of Information

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff in his Department have been employed to deal with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 issues in (a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2003 and (d) 2004; and how many staff are budgeted to deal with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 issues in (i) 2005 and (ii) 2006.

Chris Pond: The information is not available in the form requested.
	The implementation of the Freedom of Information Act across DWP builds on existing processes for dealing with requests under the Open Government Code of Practice and the Data Protection Act. The Department's 250 or so data protection officers will take on additional responsibilities for Freedom of Information matters, supported by a network of 20 Freedom of Information focal points across key business units and a small central team of three staff.
	Beyond those staff directly involved in the ongoing implementation and application of Freedom of Information within the Department, it is difficult to identify precisely the number of officials who will be dealing with Freedom of Information issues from 1 January 2005, since it is potentially part of every civil servant's role to respond to Freedom of Information requests.
	DWP provides a huge amount of information on a daily basis to a wide range of customers about benefits, child support and back to work services. This will continue under the Freedom of Information regime where we expect the majority of written requests for information to be dealt with as now as part of normal business.

Identity Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the likely effects on benefit fraud, expressed as an annual percentage, of the introduction of identity cards.

Chris Pond: We have not conducted a specific assessment that would allow us to make an estimate of the savings in benefit fraud from the introduction of a National Identity Card.
	However, a study on identity fraud by the Cabinet Office, published in 2002, estimated that up to 50 million per year of benefit fraud was a result of identity fraud. This figure was derived from Regional Benefit Review data collected from Jobseeker's Allowance and Income Support claims. The introduction of an Identity Card would have a significant impact by removing the bulk of this loss.
	Furthermore, we anticipate that there would be an additional deterrent effect from the introduction of an Identity Card.

Identity Cards

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment his Department has undertaken of the likely impact of identity cards on benefit fraud; and if he will place copies of the written assessments that he has undertaken in the Library.

Chris Pond: We have not conducted a specific assessment that would allow us to make an estimate of the savings in benefit fraud from the introduction of a national identity card.
	However, a study on identity fraud by the Cabinet Office, published in 2002, estimated that up to 50 million per year of benefit fraud was a result of identity fraud. This figure was derived from Regional Benefit Review data collected from jobseeker's allowance and income support claims. This amount was used to inform the Home Office feasibility study into the impacts of the proposed identity card scheme. The introduction of an identity card would have a significant impact, by removing the bulk of this loss.
	Furthermore, we anticipate that there would be an additional deterrent effect from the introduction of an ID card.

Identity Cards

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the cost of installing biometric card readers (a) in total and (b) as an average per facility for benefit offices in the UK; and what estimate he has made of the annual cost of maintenance for biometric card readers in these facilities.

Chris Pond: We have conducted a high level assessment of the number of card readers that will be required by the Department. Our initial estimate is that in the region of 4,500 readers may be required. The Home Office currently estimate that the cost of a card reader would fall within the range of 250-750 depending on their level of sophistication and performance. This would equate to a total of between 1,125,000 and 3,375,000.
	Detailed work is still ongoing in relation to the overall maintenance costs. These costs will become clearer following further definition of the ID card scheme and DWP business requirements for interaction with the scheme are fully known.

Identity Cards

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has made to the Home Office regarding (a) the timescale and (b) the cost of introducing biometric card readers in benefit offices in the UK.

Chris Pond: We are working closely with the Home Office to agree timescales for the introduction of biometric readers into benefit offices. Detailed work is still ongoing to establish the cost and types of readers that may be used.

Insulation Scheme

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many young unemployed people have worked to improve the insulation of pensioners' homes under the new deal in each year since the scheme was introduced.

Jane Kennedy: The new deal database can identify how many people have attended each of the New Deal for Young People options; however information is not available on the specific work undertaken.

Jobcentres/Jobcentre Plus

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time taken in (a) Eston Jobcentre Plus and (b) Redcar Jobcentre Plus was for a jobseekers allowance claimant to go from the initial phone call to their appointment with the personal adviser and the financial adviser, in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from David Anderson to Ms Baird, dated 21 December 2004
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the average time taken in Eston Jobcentre Plus and Redcar Jobcentre Plus between a Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) claimant's initial phone call, to their appointment with the personal adviser and the financial adviser, in the most recent period for which figures are available. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Under Jobcentre Plus operations, a claim to JSA or Income Support usually starts with a telephone call to the Contact Centre. After obtaining initial details, Contact Centre staff call the customer back to obtain the necessary information to complete a claim to benefit. They also arrange an appointment for the customer to attend their local office to see both a Financial Assessor and a Personal Adviser.
	The Contact Centre in Middlesbrough collects locally gathered information on a weekly basis. They have a target of 5 days to book an appointment from the initial point of contact.
	The latest figures available are for week commencing 4 December 2004:
	For Eston, 89.74 per cent. of all appointments were booked within 5 days of their initial contact (year to date 94.94 per cent)
	For Redcar, 87.65 per cent. of all appointments were booked within 5 days of their initial contact (year to date 93.96 per cent)
	I hope this is helpful.

Jobcentres/Jobcentre Plus

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the sickness and absenteeism rate in jobcentres has been in each year since 1997.

Maria Eagle: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in table 1 as follows.
	
		Table 1Sickness absence information for the former employment service and jobcentre plus for the calendar years1999 to 2003
		
			  Number of staff years Average working days absence per staff year 
		
		
			 1999 34,463 11.5 
			 2000 35,229 11.8 
			 2001 36,355 12.8 
			 2002 36,715 13.5 
			 2003 83,318 12.0 
		
	
	Notes:
	1 The figures are taken from the annual analysis of sick absence undertaken by AON Limited on behalf of the Cabinet Office.
	2. The information in table 1 covers the calendar years 1999 to 2003 relating to the former employment service and jobcentre plus, (created in 2002).
	3. The AON reports do not distinguish between sick absence levels within employment service and jobcentre plus frontline offices and support functions including head office, and therefore represent figures for the Business as a whole.
	4. The calculation used to derive these figures uses a staff-year adjustment, which provides a more reliable basis for average sick absence figures than a count of staff employed.

Minimum Income Guarantee

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the percentage take-up of the minimum income guarantee has been by people living in the Greater London area.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is not available in the form requested. At 3 October 2003 there were 214,155 households in the London Government Office Region (GOR), comprising 252,615 individuals, receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee. Information on the number of pension credit recipients in the London GOR at 31 October 2004 is given in the following table. Estimates of pension credit eligibility, based on 200203 Family Resources Survey data projected forward to 200405, are currently being revised consistent with Pre-Budget Report assumptions. The revised estimates will be available in January 2005.
	
		Pension credit recipients in the London GOR, 31 October 2004
		
			  London GOR 
		
		
			 Households 279,060 
			 Households in receipt of both guarantee and savings elements 97,935 
			 Households in receipt of guarantee element only 141,825 
			 Households in receipt of savings element only 39,295 
			 Individual recipients 331,825 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest five.
	2. Figures are available for 31 October 2004 as the final output of processes that were put in place to deliver special monthly reporting during the first year of the roll-out of pension credit. As Parliament was told in the statement accompanying the last such report, data will in future be available on a quarterly basis, in line with standard departmental practice. The next report, covering data as at 31 December 2004, should be laid in the House in January 2005.
	3. Individual recipients include a small number of partners under age 60.
	4. Pension credit replaced Minimum Income Guarantee from 6 October 2003

New Deal

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what action he plans to take in response to the recent ECOTEC Report to his Department on Mentoring and Post-Employment Support of persons on New Deal.

Jane Kennedy: In October 2001 and February 2002, 16 mentoring and post-employment support pilots were introduced under the New Deal Next Phase. The Mentoring Pilots were developed to meet those customers' needs that were not being met by mainstream mentoring, and to provide alternative methods of resolving barriers to employment.
	ECOTEC Research and Consulting were commissioned by this Department to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot mentoring approaches, and the evaluative study was carried out in two phases during summer 2002 and spring 2004. An important aspect of the evaluation was to draw out lessons that were useful for mainstream mentoring providers.
	The Mentoring Pilots ended in April 2004 and the full ECOTEC Evaluation report was published on 22 November 2004. Following on from the report, a mentoring good practice guide will be produced to disseminate the information contained in the Evaluation Report. District and Regional Contracting Teams will also be given the opportunity to contract for any of the different types of mentoring used during the pilot.

New Deal

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have started each of the New Deal for employment programmes in each (a) metropolitan authority and (b) county area in the North East region; how many of them have entered employment; how many have entered the New Deal schemes (i) once, (ii) twice, (iii) three times and (iv) three or more times; and how many entering the scheme entered employment in each case.

Chris Pond: The New Deal has been successful in helping well over a million people into work.
	Information on New Deal for Disabled People and New Deal for Partners is not available broken down by these geographical districts. Information for New Deal 50 plus, broken down by these geographical districts, is only available up to March 2003 and is for starts to the New Deal 50 plus employment credit, which can only be received once.
	The available information is in the tables.
	
		New Deal for Young Peoplestarts, number of times on the programme and people gaining a job
		
			  Tyne and Wear Cleveland County Durham Northumberland 
		
		
			 All people 
			 People starting 29,720 17,640 13,120 5,930 
			 People gaining a job 18,380 10,880 8,810 3,960 
			  
			 Once 
			 People starting 20,880 12,620 9,480 4,300 
			 People gaining a job 11,830 7,130 5,960 2,670 
			  
			 Twice 
			 People starting 6,390 3,660 2,660 1,160 
			 People gaining a job 4,640 2,770 2,060 910 
			  
			 Three times 
			 People starting 1,930 1,150 790 370 
			 People gaining a job 1,510 890 630 300 
			  
			 Three times or more
			 People starting 2,440 1,370 980 470 
			 People gaining a job 1,910 1,050 790 380 
		
	
	
		New Deal 25 plusstarts, number of times on the programme and people gaining a job
		
			  Tyne and Wear Cleveland County Durham Northumberland 
		
		
			 All people 
			 People starting 19,150 7,390 7,390 3,570 
			 People gaining a job 7,070 2,440 3,270 1,430 
			  
			 Once 
			 People starting 12,270 5,840 4,830 2,330 
			 People gaining a job 4,890 2,030 2,300 1,000 
			  
			 Twice 
			 People starting 4,170 1,330 1,570 770 
			 People gaining a job 1,400 340 670 300 
			  
			 Three times 
			 People starting 1,930 180 680 320 
			 People gaining a job 580 50 220 100 
			  
			 Three times or more
			 People starting 2,710 220 990 460 
			 People gaining a job 780 60 300 130 
		
	
	
		New Deal for Lone Parentsstarts, number of times on the programme and people gaining a job
		
			  Tyne and Wear Cleveland County Durham Northumberland 
		
		
			 All people 
			 People starting 13,970 8,170 7,210 2,910 
			 People gaining a job 8,240 4,790 4,490 1,640 
			  
			 Once 
			 People starting 7,080 3,820 3,180 1,400 
			 People gaining a job 4,310 2,330 2,070 810 
			  
			 Twice 
			 People starting 3,950 2,480 1,980 790 
			 People gaining a job 2,190 1,330 1,100 430 
			  
			 Three times 
			 People starting 1,880 1,190 1,190 470 
			 People gaining a job 1,010 650 670 220 
			  
			 Three times or more
			 People starting 2,940 1,870 2,050 730 
			 People gaining a job 1,740 1,120 1,320 400 
		
	
	
		Starts to ND50 plus employment credit
		
			  
		
		
			 Tyne and Wear 2,680 
			 Cleveland 1,360 
			 County Durham 1,410 
			 Northumberland 650 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Data for New Deal for Young People is from January 1998 to September 2004.
	2. Data for New Deal 25 plus is from July 1998 to September 2004.
	3. Data for New Deal for Lone Parents is from October 1998 to September 2004.
	4. Data for New Deal 50 plus are from April 2002 to March 2003. Data broken down by these geographical districts is not available after March 2003 for New Deal 50 plus.
	5. Information for Tyne and Wear consists of the following parliamentary constituencies: Blaydon; Gateshead East and Washington West; Houghton and Washington East; Jarrow; Newcastle upon Tyne Central; Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend; Newcastle upon Tyne North; North Tyneside; South Shields; Sunderland North; Sunderland South; Tyne Bridge; Tynemouth.
	6. Information for Cleveland consists of the following parliamentary constituencies: Hartlepool; Middlesbrough; Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland; Redcar; Stockton North; Stockton South.
	7. Information for County Durham, including the Darlington unitary authority consists of the following parliamentary constituencies: Bishop Auckland; City of Durham; Darlington; Easington; North Durham; North West Durham; Sedgefield.
	8. Information for Northumberland consists of the following parliamentary constituencies: Berwick-upon-Tweed; Blyth Valley; Hexham; Wansbeck
	9. Geographical areas provided are as defined on the Parliament UK website.
	10. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	DWP Information and Analysis Directorate

Officials (Working Hours)

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many officials working in ministerial private offices in the Department have worked more than a 48-hour week at any time in the last 12 months for which figures are available; how many of those had signed a waiver under working time regulations; and what percentage these figures represented of the total in each case.

Maria Eagle: The working time regulations provide workers with the protection of a limit of an average of 48 hours a week working time. This is not an absolute cap of 48 hours in any one week. This average is normally calculated over a 17-week reference period, although this can be longer in certain situations (26 weeks) and can be extended by agreement (up to 52 weeks). Workers may choose to work more than 48 hours per week over this reference period by signing an opt-out agreement, but employers cannot force a worker to sign an opt-out, and workers cannot be subjected to detriment for refusing to sign an opt-out.
	We have no record of any current private office staff who has recorded such an opt-out.
	The Department for Work and Pensions discourages staff from working excess hours as a matter of principle, as it runs contrary to the values which the Department holds on respecting people, and reflects its concerns as a reasonable employer for employees' work/life balance. All timesheets are locally checked on a monthly basis with responsibility devolved to individual line managers to monitor the situation.

Pension Credit

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the projected expenditure on pension credit is for the present and succeeding three years on the presently announced uprating scheme, broken down by guarantee and savings components of pension credit.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is in the following table.
	
		 millionnominal terms
		
			 Pension credit 200405 200506 200607 200708 
		
		
			 Guarantee credit 5,133 5,465 5,979 6,610 
			 Savings credit 989 1,0991 1,203 1,348 
			 Total 6,122 6,564 7,182 7,958 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are based on the latest forecasts, published in the Pre Budget Report on 2 December 2004.
	2. Benefit Expenditure Tables in relation to the Pre Budget Report are published on the internet at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/expenditure.asp
	3. Figures are rounded to the nearest million.

Pension Credit

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of existing pensioners he estimates will be eligible for pension credit at some point during the remainder of their lives.

Malcolm Wicks: The information requested is not available. Estimates of pension credit eligibility, based on 200203 Family Resources Survey data projected forward to 200405, are currently being revised consistent with pre-Budget report assumptions. The revised estimates will be available next year.

Pension Credit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensionshow many (a) male and (b) female pensioners claiming pension credit have seen their weekly income rise by (i) 0 to 10, (ii) 10 to 20, (iii) 20 to 30, (iv) 30 to 40 and (v) 40 to 50.

Malcolm Wicks: At 31 October there were 1,969,985 households in Great Britain which had gained as a result of Pension Credit. In 1,309,425 cases the claimant was female and in 660,565 cases the claimant was male. The average weekly gain for these households was 16.91. It is not possible to provide more detailed information, in the form requested, about the amount by which households have gained.
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.
	2. Figures are available for 31 October 2004 as the final output of processes that were put in place to deliver special monthly reporting during the first year of the roll-out of Pension Credit. Data will in future be available on a quarterly basis, in line with standard departmental practice. The next report, covering data as at 31 December 2004, should available in January 2005.
	3. Pension Credit replaced Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) from 6 October 2003.
	4. Households gaining are defined as all those receiving the savings element of Pension Credit plus those receiving the guarantee element only who were not previously receiving MIG and whose 60th birthday was before 6 October 2003.

Pension Credit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the distribution of (a) male and (b) female pensioners claiming pension credit is by age.

Malcolm Wicks: The available information is given in the following table.
	
		Households in receipt of pension credit by age andgender of claimant, 31 October 2004
		
			  All households Households with female claimant Households with male claimant 
		
		
			 All 2,633,550 1,678,230 955,320 
			 6064 365,770 164,015 201,755 
			 6569 416,030 217,285 198,750 
			 7074 422,630 256,660 165,975 
			 7579 462,510 306,485 156,020 
			 8084 485,670 348,710 136,960 
			 8589 279,515 216,510 63,010 
			 90+ 201,425 168,570 32,850 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.
	2. Figures are available for 31 October 2004 as the final output of processes that were put in place to deliver special monthly reporting during the first year of the roll-out of Pension Credit. Data will in future be available on a quarterly basis, in line with standard departmental practice. The next report, covering data as at 31 December 2004, should be available in January 2005.

Pension Credit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the estimated average amount not being claimed by (a) male and (b) female pensioners not claiming pension credit but who are entitled to it is; and what the average figure is broken down by age.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is not available in the form requested. Latest estimates of the average amount of Minimum Income Guarantee unclaimed by male and female pensioners can be found in the Department's report Income Related Benefits: Estimates of Take-Up in 20012002, which is available in the Library. Estimates for 20022003 are expected to be released in January. Estimates of take-up in 20032004 will cover the first six months of Pension Credit and are expected to be released in late 2005.

Pension Credit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the estimated number of (a) male and (b) female pensioners eligible to claim pension credit is; and what percentage of these are claiming.

Malcolm Wicks: Estimates of pension credit eligibility, based on 200203 Family Resources Survey data projected forward to 200405, are currently being revised consistent with pre-Budget report assumptions. The revised estimates will be available in January 2005. At 31 October, 1,073,170 men and 2,125,870 women in Great Britain were in receipt of pension credit, either as individuals or as part of a couple.
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest five.
	2. Figures are available for 31 October 2004 as the final output of processes that were put in place to deliver special monthly reporting during the first year of the roll-out of pension credit. Data will in future be available on a quarterly basis, in line with standard departmental practice. The next report, covering data as at 31 December 2004, should be available in January 2005.
	3. The individual recipients of pension credit may include a small number of partners under age 60.

Pension Protection Fund

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the public sector pension schemes which (a) will be expected to pay a levy towards the Pension Protection Fund and (b) will not be expected to pay the levy.

Malcolm Wicks: Broadly speaking the Pension Protection Fund will protect members of public sector defined benefit schemes and the defined benefit elements of hybrid schemes that are not covered by Crown Guarantee.
	We currently do not have a list of schemes that will be paying the Pension Protection Fund levies. However, the types of schemes who will and will not be expected to pay the levies will be set out in regulations. We anticipate that schemes exempt from the Pension Protection Fund protection and levy payments will be similar to those currently exempt from the minimum funding requirement.

Pension Protection Fund

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to ensure that, when the Pension Protection Fund begins in April 2005, it will retrospectively include pension funds which have failed since the passing of the Pensions Act 1977; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: In May the Government announced the introduction of the Financial Assistance Scheme. The FAS will offer help to people who have lost out on their defined benefit pension due to their pension scheme winding up underfunded as their employer has been unable to make up the deficit.
	Schemes that commenced winding up from 1 January 1997 will potentially be eligible for the FAS, subject to the other entry rules. Schemes starting to wind up right through to the introduction of the Pension Protection Fund will also be potentially eligible.
	The Pension Protection Fund compensation will apply to the future and will not be retrospective. To qualify for entry to the Pension Protection Fund a qualifying insolvency event must occur after the introduction of the Pension Protection Fund, and the scheme must not have commenced wind up before then.

Pension Protection Fund

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to include within the Pension Protection Fund, pension funds which have been affected short of insolvency, with particular reference to those affected by compromise agreements; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The entry rules for the PPF are clear: an eligible scheme must not have commenced wind-up prior to the introduction of the PPF and their sponsoring employer must have a qualifying insolvency event after that date. In addition, if a scheme compromises their section 75 debt below the PPF level of compensation then the scheme will be ineligible for PPF assistance (unless the compromise was part of a scheme of arrangement or within a PPF assessment period).

Pensions

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of how many people living in England and Wales are in a private pension scheme.

Malcolm Wicks: The number of people currently contributing to a private pension scheme in England is 12.5 million. The number of people currently contributing to a private pension scheme in Wales is 650,000.
	Notes:
	1. Those people contributing are members of a private pension scheme and either themselves or their employer are currently contributing to the scheme.
	2. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). 200304 is the latest year for which data is available.
	3. Private pension refers to either an occupational pension or personal pension.
	4. Stakeholder pensions are included as personal pensions in the estimates.
	5. The figures include those contributing to either an occupational pension or a personal pension. Where individuals contribute to both an occupational and a personal pension scheme they have been counted only once.
	Source:
	Family Resources Survey 200304.

Pensions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the median income of (a) a single pensioner and (b) a pensioner couple in (i) gross and (ii) net terms was on the latest date for which figures are available, broken down by (A) income from state benefits, (B) income from occupational pensions, eEarnings and (E) other income.

Malcolm Wicks: The information requested is in the following tables:
	
		Table A: The median Net and Gross incomes of all single pensioners and pensioner couples:
		
			  Singles Couples 
		
		
			 Net income (AHC) 122 242 
			 Gross income 168 291 
		
	
	
		Table B: The median incomes of all single pensioners and pensioner couples from different sources:
		
			  Singles Couples 
		
		
			 State benefits 108 155 
			 Occupational pension 8 54 
			 Earnings 0 0 
			 Investment income 0 3 
			 Personal pension income 0 0 
		
	
	As many pensioners are not in receipt of these different sources of income, the median value is often zero. The total median income can not be broken down by income sources so that the components sum to the total.
	The following table provides the median incomes from different sources for those pensioners in receipt.
	
		Table C: The median incomes of all single pensioners and pensioner couples from different sources for those in receipt:
		
			  Singles Couples 
		
		
			 State benefits 108 158 
			 Occupational pension 55 107 
			 Earnings 128 174 
			 Investment income 2 8 
			 Personal pension income 26 37 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Source Table A, B and C: The Pensioners' Incomes Series 200203 which is based on data from the Family Resources Survey.
	2. Incomes are presented as pounds per week. Figures for incomes are given in 200203 prices and rounded to the nearest pound.
	3. The Pensioners'; Incomes Series analysis is for Pensioner Units, which are either:
	Single pensioners (i.e. people over state pension age) or pensioner couples (i.e. married or cohabiting pensioners where the man is over state pension age.)
	4. AHC stands for after housing costs.
	5. State benefits are taken as the sum of incomes from the state pension, income related benefits and disability benefits.

Pensions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people he estimates are neither making a private pension contribution nor contribution to a state second pension, broken down by numbers of (a) self-employed people, (b) employees earning less than the lower earnings limit, (c) unemployed people and (d) non-contributors.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave on 6 November 2004, Official Report, column 426W.

Poverty (Northern Ireland)

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when poverty statistics prepared by his Department last included the relevant information for Northern Ireland.

Chris Pond: Information for Northern Ireland was last included in Households Below Average IncomeAn analysis of the income distribution for 199495 to 200203 (HBAI) published in March 2004.
	Copies are available in the Library.

Public Sector Pensions

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether occupational pensions for public sector workers, including guaranteed minimum pensions, built up before 6 April 1988, will have all the increases needed to keep up with inflation added directly to pensioners' additional state pension.

Malcolm Wicks: Occupational pension schemes which contracted out their members from the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) up to April 1997 are required to pay those members a guaranteed minimum pension (GMP) once state pension age is reached. For GMPs accrued before 6 April 1988, there is no requirement for the occupational pension scheme to index the GMP to protect its value against inflation. Such protection is generally provided through SERPS. However, in certain cases, for example where state pension is frozen for an overseas pensioner, inflation proofing will not be provided. In such cases, public service pension schemes pay indexation increases on the whole occupational pension under scheme rules, even though this is not required by the contracting-out legislation.

Return to Work

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many previously long-term sick people have returned to work during the last 12 months.

Maria Eagle: This information is not available, however based on incapacity benefits administration data and the Destination of Benefit Leavers Summary Report published in February 2004, it is estimated that approximately 300,000 people leave incapacity benefits for work in each year.
	A copy of the report is available in the Library.

Return to Work

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on recent action by Jobcentre Plus to enhance incentives to return to work after receipt of benefits.

Chris Pond: We recognise that people on benefits face a variety of barriers on returning to work and have already introduced a range of measures designed to help people overcome them.
	On the 25 October 2004, we introduced an improved job grant for customers receiving jobseekers allowance aged 25 and over, and all lone parents and people of any age receiving income support or an incapacity benefit who are moving into full time work.
	For lone parents the job grant replaces the lone parent's benefit run-on. For the first time access has also been extended to partners of eligible benefit recipients who take up work of 24 hours a week or more which takes the household off benefit.
	The improvements to the job grant include an increase to 250 in the amount payable to those with children with other customers receiving 100. In addition, the qualifying period of benefit receipt has been reduced from 52 weeks to 26 weeks.
	Job grant can be paid in addition to other work incentives providing the qualifying conditions are met. housing benefit and council tax benefit extended payments, mortgage interest run-on, the adviser discretion fund, and tax credits, are all designed to encourage customers by providing a smooth transition from benefits into work.
	In addition we are piloting other initiatives in particular areas, for example the lone parent in work credit of 40 a week for the first 52 weeks in full time work was extended to a further nine jobcentre plus districts from 25 October.

Senior Women

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many women there are in senior positions in his Department.

Maria Eagle: On 30 September 2004 there were 81 women out of 240 in the Senior Civil Service Grades within DWP.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  whether he has been informed of breaches of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers in his Department since its implementation;
	(2)  how many appeals were made by civil servants to the Civil Service Commissioners regarding special advisers in his Department between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004; and when each appeal was lodged.

Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the former Minister for the Cabinet Office (Ruth Kelly) on 8 December 2004, Official Report, column 578W.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether departmental special advisers have attended meetings with external (a) bodies and (b) individuals, in their official capacity and without Ministers since May 1997.

Maria Eagle: Special Advisers hold meetings with a wide range of external representatives in their official capacity. All such meetings are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether departmental special advisers have made speeches in their official capacity since May 1997.

Maria Eagle: Any speeches made by special advisers in an official capacity are conducted in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.
	Specific information is only available for the current special advisers who have been in position since September 2002. In this time departmental special advisers have not made any speeches in their official capacity.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether departmental special advisers have written to external (a) bodies and (b) individuals in their official capacity since May 1997.

Maria Eagle: From time to time Special Advisers will write to external stakeholders in an official capacity.
	All Special Advisers contacts with external bodies and organisations are undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

Special Advisers

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many special advisers there are in the Department, broken down by civil service pay-grade.

Maria Eagle: There are two special advisers.
	One at special adviser pay band 2.
	One at special adviser pay band 3.

Travel Costs

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total travel costs to his Department have been for (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials for each year since 1997.

Maria Eagle: holding answer 9 December 2004
	Since 1999, the Government publishes, on an annual basis, the total costs of all ministerial overseas travel and a list of all visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of 500. Copies of the lists are available in the Library of the House. [Details on the cost of Ministers' domestic travel is not held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.] Travel costs for advisors who accompany their ministers overseas is included in the annual list on Overseas Travel by Cabinet Ministers. Other travel costs for advisors can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
	The available information for officials is in tables. DWP was formed in June 2001 from the former Department of Social Security (DSS) and parts of the former Department for Education and Employment (DfEE). Travel expenditure information is not available for the former DfEE prior to March 2000, therefore expenditure figures up to and including 31 March 2000 are for the former DSS only. All travel complied with the requirements of the Civil Service Management Code.
	
		Travel costs(58) from 199798 to 200001 for the DSS and its Agencies -- 
		
			  199798 199899 19992000 200001 
		
		
			 Benefits Agency(59) 18,968,615 18,692,979 20,803,862 18,382,607 
			 Contributions Agency(60) 2,420,422 2,889,523   
			 Child Support Agency 2,380,132 2,244,467 3,114,557 3,841,188 
			 War Pensions Agency 275,967 348,711 416,182 445,401 
			 HQ 1,535,194 2,423,911 2,939,166 3,462,278 
			 Independent Statutory Bodies 862,751 828,137 1,890,467 1,876,481 
			 Employment Services2,613,873 
			 Total 26,443,081 27,427,728 29,164,243 30,621,828 
		
	
	(58) Travel costs include vehicle rental, UK travel, foreign travel and official vehicle costs.
	(59) BA costs included benefit offices, pensions, disability and carers directorate and DSS corporate centre.
	(60) Contributions Agency transferred to Inland Revenue in 1999.
	
		Travel costs(61) from 200102 to 200304 for DWP -- 
		
			  200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 Benefits Agency(62) 14,311,031   
			 Employment Services 2,730,854   
			 JobCentre Plus  6,657,293 6,348,361 
			 Pensions Service  5,669,528 10,001,472 
			 Child Support Agency 3,026,276 9,307,901 5,769,218 
			 Disability and Carers Directorate  1,563,153 1,305,638 
			 War Pensions Agency 385,999   
			 Independent Statuary Bodies 542,783   
			 Appeals Service  670,736 797,560 
			 Corporate and Shared Services 13,434,816 11,213,697 12,308,030 
			 Total 34,431,759 35,082,308 36,530,279 
		
	
	(61) Travel costs include vehicle rental, UK travel, foreign travel and official vehicle costs.
	(62) BA costs included benefit offices, pensions, disability and carers directorate and DSS corporate centre.

Winter Fuel Payment

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people eligible for a 200405 winter fuel payment needed to submit a claim to receive it; and how many of those have claimed, broken down by region.

Malcolm Wicks: We estimate that approximately 700,000 individuals in Great Britain reached age 60 in the qualifying period for the 20045 Winter Fuel Payment. About half of these will be paid automatically but others, who are not in receipt of certain benefits, will need to make a claim.
	At the 10 December 2004 there have been 314,517 claim forms received. We are not currently able to give a reliable regional breakdown.
	Those eligible have until 30 March to make a claim and it is up to them whether they do so. We publicise the availability and eligibility for the payments through out the claim period.

Winter Fuel Payment

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate how many single (a) women and (b) men in Scotland will reach the age of 60 years after the qualifying week for winter fuel payment eligibility but before 25 December.

Malcolm Wicks: It is estimated that around 2,000 single women and 2,000 single men in Scotland will reach the age of 60 after the qualifying week but before 25 December.

York Pension Centre

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobs were lost with the closure of the York Pension Centre at Monks Cross.

Maria Eagle: When the closure of York Pension Centre was announced there were 317 people affected. Since that date 112 people have found alternative employment. The remaining 205 are currently considering deployment on Financial Assistance Scheme in the former Pension Centre, voluntary early release or redeployment into surrounding DWP businesses.

York Pension Centre

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many jobs he expects to be created within the administrative unit for the Financial Assistance Scheme to be housed within the former York Pension Centre at Monks Cross.

Malcolm Wicks: The number of jobs required is still being assessed.